Hypertrophic changes are frequently seen on the anterior and lateral aspects of the vertebral bodies, but their presence on the posterior aspect, where they would encroach on the spinal canal, is very uncommon. They do, however, occur in this location and the author has reported cases with posterior projecting hypertrophic processes which apparently caused symptoms.
Hypertrophic changes occurring on the lateral aspects of the bodies of the vertebrae in the cervical spine may encroach on the canals for the cervical nerves and cause symptoms.