Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL)
What is it?
Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) is a condition where the ligament that runs the entire length of the spine from the neck to the end of the spine and stabilizes the spinal column bones becomes calcified and hardens into bone. OPLL usually affects the cervical spine in a way that spinal canal becomes narrowed, leading to nerve or spinal cord compression.
Symptoms
At the beginning, most patients do not experience symptoms from ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Symptoms of moderate to severe ODLL include:
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty bowel and bladder control
- Pain in the neck, shoulder, arm or hand
Diagnosis
The condition is diagnosed in a physical exam and with diagnostic imaging. If a patient have symptoms of OPLL, spine specialist may order X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan and CT (computed tomography) scan.
Treatment
Medications, such as anti-inflammatories, and cortisone injections may temporarily ease the pain. However, as OPLL progress over time and once there is pressure on the spinal cord, surgery is usually necessary to prevent further damage. Surgical treatment options may include:
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
- Anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion
- Laminectomy
- Laminectomy and fusion
- Laminoplasty