Posterior ligamentous complex
Updates to Article Attributes
The posterior ligamentous complex acts to stabilise the vertebral column against flexion and rotation by holding the posterior elements of the neighbouring vertebrae in fixed relation with each other. It is sometimes referred to as the posterior tension band although the latter also includes the bony posterior vertebral elements.
The posterior ligamentous complex comprises the following structures 3:
Some sources also include the cervical or thoracolumbar fascia 2,4.
Related pathology
Injury ofSee the separate article on posterior ligamentous complex can result in subluxation or dislocation of the facet:
Lesions involving the posterior ligamentous complex have a tendency not to heal and can chronically promote progressive kyphosis and vertebral body collapse. Thus, posterior ligamentous complex injuries often are treated with surgical stabilization 3.
The importance of the posterior ligamentous complex/posterior tension band is highlighted in the most commonly used spinal fracture classifications systems: AO classification of subaxial cervical injuries, AO classification of thoracolumbar injuries, and the thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS).
-</ul><p>Some sources also include the cervical or thoracolumbar fascia <sup>2,4</sup>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>Injury of the posterior ligamentous complex can result in subluxation or dislocation of the facet:</p><ul>-<li><a href="/articles/subluxed-facet-joint">facet joint subluxation</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/perched-facet-joint">perched facet joint</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/facet-dislocation">facet joint dislocation</a></li>-</ul><p>Lesions involving the posterior ligamentous complex have a tendency not to heal and can chronically promote progressive kyphosis and vertebral body collapse. Thus, posterior ligamentous complex injuries often are treated with surgical stabilization <sup>3</sup>.</p><p>The importance of the posterior ligamentous complex/posterior tension band is highlighted in the most commonly used spinal fracture classifications systems: <a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-subaxial-injuries">AO classification of subaxial cervical injuries</a>, <a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries-1">AO classification of thoracolumbar injuries</a>, and the <a href="/articles/thoracolumbar-injury-classification-and-severity-score-tlics-1">thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS)</a>.</p>- +</ul><p>Some sources also include the cervical or thoracolumbar fascia <sup>2,4</sup>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>See the separate article on <a title="Posterior ligamentous complex injury" href="/articles/posterior-ligamentous-complex-injury">posterior ligamentous complex injury</a>. The importance of the posterior ligamentous complex/posterior tension band is highlighted in the most commonly used spinal fracture classifications systems: <a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-subaxial-injuries">AO classification of subaxial cervical injuries</a>, <a href="/articles/ao-spine-classification-of-thoracolumbar-injuries-1">AO classification of thoracolumbar injuries</a>, and the <a href="/articles/thoracolumbar-injury-classification-and-severity-score-tlics-1">thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS)</a>.</p>
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