Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi | Date: January 20, 2026
There are a number of soft tissues in your spinal complex, and one set of tissues that play a key role in spinal support and stability are your flaval ligaments. These ligaments connect adjacent vertebrae to one another, but if they become damaged or inflamed, symptoms can develop within the spine. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why these supportive ligaments can begin to thicken and how to effectively treat the issue.
Understanding Flaval Thickening
Flaval ligament thickening, also referred to as ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, can be triggered by several factors, only some of which are preventable. Taking steps to mitigate the controllable causes of flaval thickening can greatly reduce your risk of the condition. Causes and contributing factors include:
- Aging – Degenerative changes in the spine as a result of the natural aging process can lead to spinal ligament thickening.
- Repetitive Strain – Chronic or repetitive strain can also trigger an inflammatory response in the flaval ligaments. Some stress and strain is actually healthy for the development of your spine and its supportive soft tissues, but repetitive overstress can cause the ligaments to thicken in response to chronic pressure.
- Poor Posture – Regularly having poor posture throughout the day can contribute to spinal ligament thickening. Poor posture increases the strain on certain areas of the spine, which can lead to ligament thickening.
- Acute Injury – Flaval ligaments may also thicken in response to trauma or acute injury.
Although flaval ligament thickening can cause uncomfortable symptoms, it’s not the thickened ligaments themselves that tend to produce the symptoms. When ligaments thicken, they encroach on other structures. If these ligaments irritate or compress nearby nerves, you may notice a range of symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Tingling in the arms and legs
- Muscle weakness
- Impaired mobility and balance
- Bowel or bladder dysfunction
Treating Flaval Ligament Thickening
If you’re dealing with one or more of the above symptoms and want to put the issue to rest once and for all, connect with a spine specialist in your area. Dr. Sinicropi and team have helped many patients overcome flaval ligament thickening and similar spine issues, and he’s confident that he can do the same for you. Your specialist will begin with a physical exam and by asking you about your symptoms. Because the spine is so complex and many issues present with similar symptoms, the best way to pinpoint ligament thickening is with the help of an MRI. This imaging exam provides clear visualization of the soft tissues in the spine, so it can spot thickened ligaments and the structures the ligament is compressing.
Your doctor will be able to come up with a targeted treatment plan after viewing these images. In many instances, conservative care options will be pursued first, with physical therapy being the cornerstone of treatment. PT will help to strengthen spinal structures and take stress off the ligaments, providing them an environment for healing to take place. Other treatments that may go alongside PT include posture improvements, chiropractic adjustments, weight loss, regular exercise, massage therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and hot/cold therapy.
In rare instances, surgery may be pursued if conservative care fails to address the problem and the surgeon is confident that a minimally invasive procedure will yield results. In these instances, a portion of the vertebral bone known as the lamina will be removed to provide more room for the spinal nerves to travel unimpeded. You’ll then pursue many of the previously listed conservative techniques to continue working to resolve ligament thickening.
For more information about flaval thickening or for assistance managing a different spinal condition, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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