Iliolumbar ligament ossification: what research with this finding?

Abstract

The iliolumbar ligament is described as a biomechanically important ligament for the lumbopelvic region; it extends from the transverse processes of the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae to the iliac crest. Alterations of the iliolumbar ligament are attributed to trauma and assumed to be an important source of low back pain syndrome having a great economic impact. Changes in iliolumbar ligament morphology relating to the low back pain syndrome have not been deeply studied. The iliolumbar ligament (IL) is a culpable ligament of reducing sacroiliac joint movement, due to its cranial margin. The IL engages in body weight transmission to the lower extremity, stabilizing the vertebral spine and the pelvis, as the major ligament responsible for that. Besides that, the spinal flexion is a consequence movement, unleashed by the anterior band of the IL.