Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Spinal ligaments play a key role in stabilizing your vertebrae and helping you maintain an ideal spinal alignment. However, if these ligaments begin to thicken, they can take up key space within the vertebral column. There is already limited space in this area, and ligament thickening can end up compressing key nerves and structures within this space. In fact, ligament thickening is one of the most common causes of spinal stenosis.

But what causes spinal ligaments to thicken, and more importantly, what can be done to treat the problem? In today’s blog, we explore why spinal ligaments can swell and thicken, and we discuss your treatment options.

Why Do Spinal Ligaments Thicken?

Spinal ligaments can begin to thicken for a few different reasons:

• Injury – Perhaps the most common reason for spinal ligament thickening is due to an injury to the soft tissue. If these ligaments are overstressed through acute or repetitive stress, they can become thick, swollen and inflamed. Careful conservative treatment can sometimes help to resolve this thickening, but continued stress on the area can cause the thickening to persist.
• Age – Sometimes the biggest factor in spinal ligament thickening is simply old age and the natural degeneration process. Natural age-related degeneration and repetitive stress on the spinal ligaments over the years can cause spinal ligaments to thicken.
• Weight – Being overweight or obese will inherently put more strain on your spine and the structures that support it. Over time, this increased stress can take its toll on the ligaments that support and stabilize the spinal column, in turn leading to ligament thickening.

A thickened spinal ligament in and of itself will not cause many symptoms, although you may notice a small decrease in natural spinal mobility and flexibility. The real issue occurs when the thickened ligament irritates nearby spinal nerves. This can lead to localized or radiating pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the extremities. If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, reach out to a spine specialist in your area.

How To Treat Thickened Spinal Ligaments

If you’re dealing with symptoms of a thickened spinal ligament, a spine specialist like Dr. Sinicropi can be a valuable asset. He’ll conduct a physical exam to look for some of the telltale symptoms, and he’ll confirm his suspicions with the help of an MRI or similar imaging test.

If thickened spinal ligaments are the diagnosis, your doctor will typically begin by walking you through your conservative treatment options. Many people will find that their symptoms resolve and their spinal ligaments are healthier and more functional through a combination of conservative techniques like:

• Physical therapy
• Posture improvements
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Stretching therapy
• Weight loss
• Corticosteroid injections

The vast majority of patients find relief through conservative means, but more serious cases may require surgery. Depending on your specific situation, your doctor will advise whether they believe it’s best to remove part of the thickened ligament, to remove part of the vertebral column or to fuse the vertebrae together to limit movement at the affected location. These operations have a fairly high rate of success, but they are considered a last resort because conservative means typically provide enough symptom relief.

To learn more about spinal ligament thickening or the best way to treat the spine issue that you’re facing, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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