Tensile Test of Human Lumbar Ligamentum Flavum: Age-Related Changes of Stiffness
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 prop...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/8/3337 |
| Summary: | 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. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |