Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy

Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (thickening) is a degenerative spinal condition often occurring in the elderly as a result of stresses placed upon it due to aging changes in the spine such as disc degeneration and disc herniation and joint arthritis. It causes the spinal canal to narrow which results in spinal nerve compression and irritation. Since the ligamentum flavum lies in the back part of the spinal vertebral canal, it fills the vertebral canal behind the vertebral body.