|
Causes of
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, and it can
be present at any level of the spine. While lumbar spinal stenosis
is the most common type, stenosis can also occur in the thoracic
or cervical areas of the spine. Spinal stenosis causes a variety
of symptoms such as severe pain, weakness, numbness and the loss
of mobility.
Spinal stenosis is often associated with the aging process, as
when ligaments begin to calcify and bone spurs form. These
abnormalities can intrude into the spinal canal and cause pressure
on the nerve roots by limiting the amount of space in the spinal
column. This nerve compression often causes pain, tingling, or
numbness in the extremities.
Spinal stenosis can be congenital (i.e. a birth defect). With
congenital spinal stenosis, the patient is born with a narrow
spinal canal due to abnormally formed parts of the spine. This
condition is most common in patients with a short stature, such as
achondroplastic dwarves. Spinal stenosis may also result from any
of the following non-congenital conditions:
|
. |
Aging |
|
. |
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis typically caused by
age-related wear and tear, and is the most common form of
arthritis. Sometimes osteoarthritis follows an injury to a joint.
For example, a young person might hurt his knee badly playing
soccer. Then, years after the knee has apparently healed, he might
get arthritis in his knee joint. |
|
. |
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes pain,
swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. It occurs
in a symmetrical pattern, meaning that if one joint is affected,
the corresponding joint is also affected. People with rheumatoid
arthritis often experience fatigue, occasional fever, and a
general sense of malaise.
|
|
. |
|
Copyright 2006 A.D.A.M., Inc. |
Spondylosis
Spondylosis is a degeneration of the vertebral functions leading
to the formation of bones spurs. Spondylosis commonly occurs with
aging. Often there is an accompanying herniation of an
intervertebral disc and compression of nerve roots. This
compression can result in sensory and motor disturbances and pain. |
|
. |
Spondylolysthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a condition that occurs when one vertebra
slips forward over another vertebra. |
|
. |
Spinal injury |
|
. |
Spinal birth defect
|
|
. |
Spinal tumors |
|
. |
Swelling after spinal surgery
|
|
. |
Paget's Disease of Bone
Paget's Disease is a disease of the bones usually occurring in
middle-aged and elderly patients. Paget's Disease initially
results in the excessive destruction of the bone followed by the
replacement of normal bone marrow with vascular and fibrous
tissue. This excessive bone destruction sometimes leads to bone
pain and fractures. When any disease reaches the point of causing
nerve root inflammation or irritation, the results can become
intolerable.
For more informationon about Spinal Stenosis, please click here. |
|
Spinal
Stenosis
