The posterior ligamentous complex of the cervical spine — comprising the facet capsules, ligamentum flavum, interspinous, and supraspinous ligaments — acts as the posterior tension band preventing excessive flexion and distraction. Complete PLC disruption indicates a potentially unstable cervical injury requiring surgical stabilisation. MRI is the gold standard for PLC assessment after cervical fracture.
| Origin | Posterior cervical laminae, spinous processes, and facet capsules |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Continuous from occiput to thoracic junction — includes interspinous, supraspinous, facet capsules, and ligamentum flavum |
| Actions | Tension band system resisting cervical flexion and distraction; primary posterior column stability |
|---|
The Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC) assigns 2 points to distraction injuries and 2 points to PLC disruption — combined with disc morphology scores, total score above 4 warrants surgical treatment. Facet joint capsule disruption is the most sensitive indicator of PLC failure.
Posterior ligamentous complex tearing in cervical flexion-distraction injury indicating instability managed with posterior cervical fusion.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
