What is ossification of ligamentum flavum?

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a disease of ectopic bone formation within the ligamentum flavum, which may result in mass effect and neurological compromise. The low thoracic region is the most common region of occurrence, and this is followed by the cervical, then lumbar, spine.

What is ligamenta flava?

Description. 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.

What does 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 ligamenta flava thickening?

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.

What does the term ossification mean?

process of bone formation
Definition of ossification 1a : the natural process of bone formation. b : the hardening (as of muscular tissue) into a bony substance. 2 : a mass or particle of ossified tissue. 3 : a tendency toward or state of being molded into a rigid, conventional, sterile, or unimaginative condition.

What is Foraminal stenosis of the spine?

Foraminal Stenosis is the narrowing of the cervical disc space caused by enlargement of a joint (the uncinate process) in the spinal canal. The majority of symptoms with this type of cervical spinal stenosis are usually caused by one nerve root on one side.

What Flavum means?

Ligamentum flavum literally means “yellow ligament,” and is so known because it has a yellow coloring due to the amount of elastin (a springy type of collagen). The elastin pulls the ligament out of the canal when the spine is extended.

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.

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.

How serious is stenosis of the spine?

Spinal stenosis is a condition that results in the narrowing of the spinal column, often accompanied by painful, debilitating compression of the spinal cord as well as nerve roots. For some people, the pain can be so severe it is incapacitating, making even everyday activities nearly impossible.

What causes ossification?

Heterotopic ossification (HO) occurs when bone tissue develops in your soft tissues. Often, people get HO after an injury or major surgery. Genetic HO is rarer and more severe. In HO, you develop a bony, painful lump underneath your skin.

What are the 2 types of ossification?

There are two types of bone ossification, intramembranous and endochondral. Each of these processes begins with a mesenchymal tissue precursor, but how it transforms into bone differs.

How do you reduce ligamentum flavum thickening?

What are the 3 types of ossification?

Osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts are the three cell types involved in the development, growth and remodeling of bones. Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells, osteocytes are mature bone cells and osteoclasts break down and reabsorb bone. There are two types of ossification: intramembranous and endochondral.

How is ossification treated?

Management and Treatment Medications such as corticosteroids to treat HO flare-ups in people with genetic heterotopic ossification. Physical therapy to increase range of motion and decrease pain. Surgery to remove heterotopic ossification that causes severe pain or restrictions in your daily function.

What is ossification of the ligamentum flavum?

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum. Dr Yuranga Weerakkody ◉ et al. Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a phenomenon where there is a formation of ossific-calcific components in the ligamentum flavum. It is recognized causes of myelopathy (especially in the thoracic and to a lesser degree the cervical region).

Where is the ligamentum flavum located?

The ligamentum flavum (LF) connects adjoining two laminas at the posterior side of the dura mater and both side flaps are separated at the midline. It extends laterally to the anterior side of the facet joint and is separated from the dura mater by epidural fat.

How is bilateral ossified ligament excision performed?

Bilaterally ossified ligaments can be excised separately. En bloc laminectomy is necessary above the fused type. Below the extended type without dural adhesions, decompression can be performed with laminotomy or laminoplasty. The universal method, bilateral laminectomy and excision of ossified ligament, is the third technique used.

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