Final answer:
The statement that PLL ossification is often clinically silent is true. While it can lead to neurological symptoms, many cases remain asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally. Symptoms like neck stiffness and pain occur if the ossification compresses neural structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that PLL ossification is often clinically silent is true. PLL, or posterior longitudinal ligament, ossification can occur as a pathological or age-related condition, most commonly identified in the cervical spine. While this condition can lead to compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots and cause neurological symptoms, it often remains asymptomatic and is discovered incidentally during imaging done for other reasons.
As PLL ossification progresses, some patients may eventually experience clinical manifestations such as neck stiffness, pain, or neurological deficits, including numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking. However, these symptoms are not always present initially, meaning that PLL ossification can exist without causing obvious clinical signs.
When symptoms do arise, they are typically the result of the ossified ligament encroaching on the spinal canal and impinging neural structures, prompting further evaluation and management, which may include pharmacological treatment, physical therapy, or surgical intervention. In cases where PLL ossification is asymptomatic, no immediate treatment is usually required, though monitoring may be recommended.