Objective: To assess the prevalence of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy among spinal canal stenosis patients in Jordanian population.
Methodology: Our prospective observational study included 106 patients, aged 20-76 years, of both sexes and with a radiological diagnosis of spinal stenosis. The study was carried out at Prince Hashim hospital, Zarqa, Jordan from April 2015 to February 2018. Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy was considered when its thickness was 4 mm or more.
Results: There were 25 (23.6%) patients with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, of which, 17 (68%) were found at L4/L5 levels and 8 (32%) at multiple levels. The incidence was more in patients with spinal stenosis aged 65 or more.
Conclusion: The prevalence of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy was 23.6% among patients with spinal stenosis in our study. It was found mainly at the L4/L5 level and in patients aged 65 and more.
Key words: Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, spinal stenosis, degerative joint disease.
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