Spinal Stenosis Causes

There are various causes of Spinal Stenosis. Here, find out the most important ones.

Osteoarthritis- This is one type of arthritis condition, where the patient loses cartilage of bone joints. Cartilage is like a cushion in the joints of bones. When it is not there bones get affected very badly. It affects the spine and causes narrowing of the spinal cord, which is known as Spinal Stenosis.

Osteophytes- It is also known as bone spurs. Normal bones enlarge in this condition, which exert pressure on the spinal cord. It happens more with increasing age. It causes Spinal Stenosis as it affects the spinal cord and the spinal canal.

Inflammatory Spondyloarthritis- Spondyloarthritis (or spondyloarthropathy) is a condition wherein inflammation of the affected parts occurs. It affects spine, joints etc. Pain is common in this case. Stiffness or senselessness are the other problems caused by this condition.

Spinal Tumors - Tumors of the spine may be another cause of the Spinal Stenosis. The tumors are extra growth, which may hamper with the spinal canal. It may also cause problem due to inflammation. Bone displacement or bone loss may affect the vertebral framework. This exerts extra pressure on the spinal cord and its areas, which will lead to Spinal Stenosis.

Trauma – Trauma due to various reasons like accidents, mental shock may harm the spine. Spinal burst or dislocation of the spine may cause fragments of bone, which will hamper the spinal cord activities and will cause narrow spinal cord.

Previous Surgery – Previous surgery may cause problems in the spine. After surgery, many a times tissues surrounding the cut swell. This may increase the pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. This may result in Spinal Stenosis.

Paget’s Diseases of the Bone - Paget's disease of bone is condition where the patients get deformed and enlarged bones in the body. This is a chronic condition. Due to constant breakdown and formation, the bones in the body become fragile. It is mostly seen in the spinal cord. Sometimes, spinal cord bones break down. As a result of the condition, the nerves do not get the needed blood supply. Bone breakdown also cause physical deformity, which pressurize the spinal cord and nerves and narrow down the spinal cord area.

Flurosis (Excessive level of Folroide)- Fluorosis is a condition where excess amount of fluoride is found in your body. Flurosis occurs as a result of entry of excess fluoride to your body through water, inhalation and eating. People, who live near the industrial areas where the factories emit dust or gas with fluorides, or who use fluoride contaminated water, are more prone to flurosis. Flurosis leads to excess calcium deposition in the spinal ligaments, softened bones etc. All these lead to Spinal Stenosis.

Calcium Deposits of Ligaments- This occurs at a later stage in life. People who are older than 50 years show this problem. When people age, their body parts become less active and depositions occur in the joints and parts. Ligaments in old people become hard, thick due to calcium deposition. This is another cause of Spinal Stenosis, as spinal structure is also affected by calcium deposition.