What does the ligamentum flavum turn into?
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What does the ligamentum flavum turn into?
The elastic fibers within the ligamentum flavum prevent it from buckling into the intervertebral foramen (IVF) and vertebral canal, thus sparing the contents of these regions. Degenerative change of the ligamentum flavum can result in elastic fibers being replaced with collagen.
What is ligamentum flavum?
The ligamenta flavum is a short but thick ligament that connects the laminae of adjacent vertebrae from C2 to S1 and is considered a medial ward continuation of the fact joint . It consists of 80% elastin fibers and 20% collagen fibers.
Where does the ligamentum flavum end?
Structure. Each ligamentum flavum connects the laminae two adjacent vertebrae. They begin with the junction of the axis and third cervical vertebra, continuing down to the junction of the fifth lumbar vertebra and the sacrum.
In which region ligamentum flavum is strongest?
Ligamentum Flavum This yellow ligament is the strongest. It runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis, in front of and between the lamina, and protects the spinal cord and nerves.
What movement does ligamentum flavum limit?
spinal flexion
The ligamentum flavum limits spinal flexion (bending forward), especially abrupt flexion. This function enables the ligamentum flavum to protect your discs from injury.
Does ligamentum flavum thickening cause pain?
The reason for this is that often central stenosis is caused by thickening of a ligament running behind the nerves known as the ligamentum flavum. When the patient stands, causing straightening of the spine, the ligamentum flavum buckles and pushes in on the spinal nerves, resulting in pain to the lower extremities.
How is ligamentum flavum treated?
The ligamentum flavum seems to be the major cause of root compression in a limited number of patients. The surgical therapy recommended is a total laminectomy with wide resection of the ligamentum flavum and complete disk removal when indicated.
What does Flavum mean?
Flavum is a Latin word meaning “yellow”. It is often used in taxonomy for species names typically in scientific names for animals and plants to refer to the flower colour or other aspect of the species.
Is ligamentum flavum thickening serious?
Now, let us look at the second most commonplace, or the neck, for ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. The neck is the second most common site for LF overgrowth, but it is critically dangerous. A severely thickened or hypertrophied LF in the neck can cause severe spinal canal stenosis or myelopathy.
How do you treat ligamentum flavum thickening?
The current treatment approach for LF thickening includes operative and nonoperative treatment. Operative treatment includes such procedures as excision of the LF, decompressive laminectomy, and minimally invasive decompression.
What are the symptoms of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy?
The seven most Common symptoms of ligamentum flavum include:
- Neck pain.
- Upper back or mid back pain.
- Low back pain.
- Difficulty walking or standing.
- Difficulty when standing following a period of sitting.
- Pain, numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands, and finger.
What does thickening of the ligamentum flavum mean?
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy is a condition in which the ligamentum flavum (LF) thickens due to stresses placed on the spine. With hypertrophy, ligamentum flavum (LF) increases in thickness (size). The thicker it becomes, the higher the risks of compressing the spinal cord or spinal nerves.
