Spinal Stenosis Causes

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More Info On Spinal Stenosis Causes

Spinal stenosis is a condition that involves both the bony structures and the nerves of the spine.

The bony structures of the spine are the vertebrae. They provide structure for our bodies and protect the spinal cord, which carries messages between the brain and body. There are about 33 interlocking vertebrae and they are articulated in a way that provides support for the chest and abdomen while allowing us the flexibility to twist and bend.

The spine has two forward curvescervical and lumbarand vertebrae and two backward curvesthoracic and sacral, which help it absorb mechanical stress.

The spinal cord travels through the spinal canal from the head to the lower back. The posterior longitudinal ligament lines the canal between the spinal cord and the back of the vertebrae, providing additional support and protection for the spinal cord. All messages between the brain and body are carried by the spinal cord in a top-down fashion. If the spinal cord is severed, you lose all sensation and function below the injury.

A pair of spinal nerves leaves the spine between each pair of vertebrae. They split off of the spinal cord and innervate the structures parallel to that cervical spinal stenosis vertebra. The nerves pass out of the spinal canal through the neural canal and exit the spine through the space between vertebrae.

Whenever the spinal canal or one of the neural canals is narrowed or obstructed, you have spinal stenosis. The symptoms of spinal stenosis depend on which nerve or nerves are being affected.

Cervical spinal stenosis occurs in the neck and can involve either the cord or spinal nerves. If spinal nerves are involved, cervical stenosis symptoms involve pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness of the neck, shoulders and/or arms. If the cord is involved, you may also have symptoms affecting your legs, usually uncoordinated movement and difficulty walking.

Thoracic stenosis is rare because there is less curvature in the thoracic spine, and therefore less stress on the joints between vertebrae. The spinal canal is normally narrower in the thoracic spine, however, so it takes less obstruction to cause symptoms.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is common, and involves the lower back. Lumbar stenosis causes pain in the lower back and leg and may also cause weakness in one or both legs.

Spinal stenosis can be caused by narrowing of the spinal canal, narrowing or obstruction of the neural canal or narrowing or obstruction of the space between vertebrae. Stenosis can be congenital or it can be caused by injury, tumor, medical conditions or degenerative changes due to aging.

In the early stages, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and other medical measures take care of the symptoms. Ultimately, the only way to correct spinal stenosis is with surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves.

Published by Stenosis Advisor

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By: gle

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery www.laserspineinstitute.com and Houston Web Site Design www.novatexsolutions.com

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Spinal Stenosis Causes

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Spinal stenosis is narrowing of any of the vertebral openings that nerves go through. The narrowing compresses the nerve, and symptoms appear due to impaired nerve function. The spine is composed of approximately 33 interlocking bones, called vertebrae. It has two major functions: structural and functional. Structurally, the spine allows us to stand upright, provides a place for muscles, tendons and other bones to attach to, and gives us the flexibility to turn, bend and twist. Functionally, the spine provides protection for the spinal cord and distribution of spinal nerves.

The spinal cord carries all the messages between our brains and our bodies. Some of the fibers carry motor (movement) instructions to the body, and some carry sensation information to the brain. A pair of spinal nerves branch off of the cord and exit the spine between each pair of vertebrae, carrying messages to and from the body in that area. Nerves from the cervical spine go to the face, neck and diaphragm. Thoracic nerves go to the arms and chest. Lumbar nerves go to the hips, legs, rectum, urethra and sexual organs.

Each vertebra has a total of five openings that nerves pass through: the spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord, two neural foramina, or openings in the bone for the nerve root, and two intervertebral spaces. Spinal stenosis occurs when any of these openings is narrowed enough to compress a nerve.

Some people are born with spinal stenosis, or a congenital narrowing of the spinal canal or other openings. Spinal stenosis can be secondary to other congenital abnormalities, such as scoliosis or achondroplasia.

Most of the time, people acquire spinal stenosis as they age; it’s rare in people younger than 50. Calcium deposits develop in the ligaments between vertebrae, we grow bone spurs, the vertebra don’t fit together like they once did and they slip out of alignmentthese are normal changes that occur as we get older, but they can cause spinal stenosis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in the discs and facet joints contribute to spinal stenosis, too.

There are a few conditions that cause spinal stenosis that are neither congenital nor the result of aging. Tumors can invade any of the spinal spaces and compress nerves. Paget’s disease is a bone disorder that causes the vertebrae to thicken, obstructing the openings. Fluorosis, or excessive exposure to fluoride, causes calcification of the ligaments around the spinal openings. The posterior longitudinal ligament, which runs down the back behind the spinal cord, may turn to bone and put pressure on nerves.

Although there are several causes of spinal stenosis, the mechanism is always the same: a narrowed opening compresses a nerve, and that causes sensory and functional symptoms

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By: gle

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery www.laserspineinstitute.com and Houston Web Site Design www.novatexsolutions.com

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