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Age changes in the lumbar spinal and intervertebral canals.
1School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University of Technology, Shenton Park, Western Australia.
Paraplegia
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Aging significantly alters spinal canal and foramen dimensions. Ligamentum flavum thickens, reducing space for nerves, increasing elderly entrapment syndrome risk.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Gerontology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Age-related changes in the lumbar spine can affect neural structures.
- Understanding spinal canal and intervertebral foramen dimensions is crucial for diagnosing entrapment syndromes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare lumbar spinal canal (SC) and intervertebral foramina (IVF) dimensions in young and elderly adults.
- To investigate the impact of aging on SC and IVF dimensions and ligamentum flavum (LF) thickness.
Main Methods:
- Measurements were taken from fresh, post-mortem lumbar spine specimens of 96 individuals (48 young, 48 elderly).
- Key dimensions measured included SC sagittal and transverse diameters, IVF height, length, and width, and LF thickness.
- Statistical comparisons were made between age groups and sexes.
Main Results:
- A significant decline in SC anterior-posterior diameter (APD) was observed in both sexes with aging.
- SC transverse diameter (TD) increased with age in males but decreased in females.
- IVF height decreased, while AP width and length increased with age. LF thickness increased by 50%.
Conclusions:
- Age-related changes in the lumbar spine, including decreased SC APD and increased LF thickness, reduce space within the IVF.
- These anatomical alterations in the elderly may predispose individuals to neurovascular entrapment syndromes.
- Findings highlight the importance of age-specific anatomical considerations in clinical assessments.