How to treat cervical ligamentum flavum thickening and spinal canal stenosis

Spinal stenosis caused by thickening of the yellow ligament of the cervical spine requires appropriate treatment according to the severity of the disease. If the symptoms are obvious or affect your life, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time and have a professional doctor evaluate and develop a treatment plan.

The yellow ligament is an important structure connecting the vertebrae. It is elastic and tough, but with aging, long-term improper posture or degenerative diseases, it may thicken and compress the spinal cord and nerves, leading to spinal stenosis. Patients may feel stiffness and pain in the neck, or even numbness in the limbs or difficulty walking. The severity of the disease is mainly related to the location and degree of compression.

Milder symptoms can be relieved through conservative treatment, such as adjusting the height of the sleeping pillow and choosing a pillow with better support; paying attention to daily sitting posture and avoiding bowing your head for long periods of time; strengthening neck muscle exercises, such as doing the "M" exercise to exercise cervical flexibility. For pain and discomfort, doctors may recommend physical therapy, hot compresses, or oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

When the ligamentum flavum thickens more severely, spinal stenosis causes significant nerve compression or significantly affects life, surgical treatment such as ligamentum flavum resection or spinal canal decompression may be required. This is usually performed by a spinal surgeon to relieve nerve compression and improve symptoms. Professional evaluation is crucial. Once you feel severe numbness and fatigue in your limbs, or even abnormal bowel and bladder control, seek medical attention in a timely manner to avoid delaying treatment.