Spinal Stenosis

Non-Age Related Causes of Spinal Stenosis

Many people believe that spinal stenosis is a condition that only affects those with advanced age. It’s true that the disease occurs mostly in old people. However, there are many conditions occurring in people of all ages that can result in spinal stenosis. All these conditions cause increased pressure on the spinal cord or nerves leaving the spinal column and result in spinal stenosis.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis : Paget's Disease

Paget's disease of the bone is one such condition. This is a hereditary condition that causes the generation of bones at an exceedingly fast rate. The bones produced are soft and weak. These bones can be easily fractured or broken. Bones formed can also be abnormally large or deformed. If this is experienced in the vertebrae of the spine it will result in less room for the spinal canal. This in turn places pressure on the spinal cord which results in spinal stenosis.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis: Achondroplasia

Spinal stenosis can also be caused as a result of a genetic disorder known as Achondroplasia. This condition has the opposite effects of Paget’s disease. This disorder results in the slowing down of bone formation during fetal development and in the early stages of childhood. The result is dwarfism. People with this condition have a narrow spinal canal.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis: Abnormal Growth

Abnormal growths forming within the spinal canal known as spinal tumors can also result in spinal stenosis. These growths occur within the membranes that cover the spinal cord. These membranes lie between the spinal cord and the vertebrae. As the tumors enlarge they press on the spinal cord and nerves resulting in spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is common in people who have suffered some kind of spinal injury. Spinal injuries can occur as a result of car accidents or a major trauma that causes the dislocation of some of the vertebrae. The displacement of the vertebrae as a result of trauma results in damage to the spinal canal contents. Corrective surgery for spinal injuries can also result in the development of spinal stenosis.This is due to the swelling of the tissue adjacent to the spine immediately following surgery. If this swelling goes on unchecked it will result in pressure on the spine.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis
Non-Age Related Causes of Spinal Stenosis
Article published December 30^th, 2010
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