[Treatment of lumbar stenosis and root pain resulting from simple hypertrophy of lumbar ligamentum flavum].
OBJECTIVE
To provide a better treatment method of lumbar stenosis and root pain resulting from simple hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum.


METHODS
By studying the records of 143 lumbar pain cases, we found 5 cases caused by simple hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum. All the patients were old man with a long progressed history. There was little difference of clinical features between the disc herniation and hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum. All cases accepted resection of ligamentum flavum.


RESULTS
All the symptoms were relieved postoperatively. The patients could walk.


CONCLUSIONS
The degeneration of lumbar ligamentum flavum can cause lumbar stenosis and root pain. Resection of ligamentum flavum can relieve the symptom.
Liu
Li-min
LM
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China 610041.
Song
Yue-ming
YM
Gong
Quan
Q
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000150:complications; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*