What is ossified posterior longitudinal ligament?
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a condition in which a flexible structure known as the posterior longitudinal ligament becomes thicker and less flexible. The posterior longitudinal ligament connects and stabilizes the bones of the spinal column.
What causes ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
The exact cause of OPLL is unknown, but it typically occurs when the soft tissues on the spine calcify and narrow the spinal canal. This causes the compression on the nerves in the cervical spinal cord. Research has shown links to hereditary factors, the environment and an individual’s lifestyle.
How is OPLL diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose OpLL during a clinic visit. He or she will take a full medical history, perform a physical exam, and order diagnostic testing such as: X-ray — An X-ray can produce images of the bones to see if you have a bone spur, narrowing in the disc space, vertebral fracture or collapse.
What is thickening of the posterior longitudinal ligament?
OPLL is a condition in which the flexible structure of the posterior longitudinal ligament becomes thicker and less flexible. It most commonly occurs in the cervical spine. OPLL typically presents with none or mild symptoms at the beginig. Mild symptoms may include; mild pain, tingling, and/or numbness in the hands.
How is OPLL treated?
OPLL can be treated via an anterior (ie, corpectomy and fusion) or posterior (ie, laminectomy and fusion or laminoplasty) approach, or both. The optimal approach is dictated by the classification and extent of OPLL, cervical spine sagittal alignment, severity of stenosis, and history of previous surgery.
Can OPLL be reversed?
Since OPLL is known to be a typical progressive disease, and there is little evidence that non-surgical treatment will stop or reverse its progression.
How do you cure OPLL?
What causes calcification of spinal ligaments?
As people age, the ligaments of the spine can thicken and harden (called calcification). Bones and joints may also enlarge, and bone spurs (called osteophytes) may form. Bulging or herniated discs are also common. Spondylolisthesis (the slipping of one vertebra onto another) also occurs and leads to compression.
How fast does OPLL progress?
Chiba et al. analyzed the progression of OPLL by evaluating 131 OPLL patients who had undergone posterior decompression procedures, and progression was noted in 56.5% of patients at 2 years after surgery and was more frequent in continuous and mixed types of OPLL.
Can OPLL cause paralysis?
Abstract. Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) can cause severe and irreversible paralysis in not only the cervical spine but also the thoracolumbar spine.
What is calcification of a ligament?
Symptomatic calcification occurs from the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals at the attachment sites of ligaments and tendons causing severe pain and disability.