Abstract
The most common cause of lumbar spinal canal stenosis is age-related degenerative changes. The ligamentum flavum is said to become thicker and stiffer with age, based on several histological and cadaver studies. However, there are no studies determining the age-related changes of the mechanical properties of the ligamentum flavum in live patients. We examined the mechanical properties of the ligamentum flavum of live patients and evaluated the age-related changes. A total of 44 patients undergoing decompression surgery due to lumbar disease at our institute were included. The ligamentum flavum was harvested from the decompression site as a part of a necessary procedure for decompression. The tensile test was performed for the harvested ligamentum flavum within 24 h of harvest. Age-related changes in the stiffness of the ligamentum flavum were evaluated. Age was the only factor that showed a significant correlation with stiffness on multiple regression analysis. We demonstrated that the mechanical properties of the ligamentum flavum change with age.
Highlights
The ligament flavum is a structure that covers the posterior side of the spinal canal
Lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) is a degenerative disease with a predilection for middle-aged and elderly patients [3,4]. Several factors such as osteophytes, intervertebral disc herniation, degenerative slipping and instability are involved in the development of spinal canal stenosis, changes in the ligamentum flavum associated with aging is one of the most important factors
Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum plays an important role in the onset of LSS
Summary
The ligament flavum is a structure that covers the posterior side of the spinal canal It adheres to the upper and lower lamina, maintains tension in both the resting and moving state, and maintains pressure to strengthen the intervertebral disc. Lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) is a degenerative disease with a predilection for middle-aged and elderly patients [3,4]. Several factors such as osteophytes, intervertebral disc herniation, degenerative slipping and instability are involved in the development of spinal canal stenosis, changes in the ligamentum flavum associated with aging is one of the most important factors. Ligamentum flavum is thickened and buckled inside the spinal canal as the disc height decreases due to degenerative changes [5,6]
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