The spinal cord is essential for the movement of the body parts and the linking nerves to the brain. Spinal stenosis involves narrowing spaces along your spine, leading to pressure on the nerve spread along the spine. Patients with spinal stenosis issues suffer from pain from the lower back and the neck. Various specialists are available, but if you are experiencing these symptoms and reside in Texas, visit spinal stenosis in Houston to enjoy a quality treatment from the experts.
Highlighted below are some of the causes of Spinal Stenosis.
Spinal Injuries
This is one of the common causes of spinal stenosis affecting many people today. Car accidents and other related injuries can cause the fracturing or dislocation of several of your vertebrae. This may cause inflammation and exert pressure on the spinal canal, either damaging or affecting the spinal nerves. A patient with a fractured or dislocated spinal cord may experience loss of cognitive functions or control of certain parts of the body.
Herniated Disks
This condition is present mainly in aged people. The herniated disk problem is characterized by the drying up of the shock absorber cushion between the vertebrae disk, leaving it exposed. The gel-like shock absorber leaves the soft tissue that presses against the spinal cord affecting the nerves. Patients suffering from this kind of condition are likely to experience pain in the back as the disks rub against each other.
Bone Overgrowth
This condition is also known as osteoarthritis, symbolized by wear and tear. Bone overgrowth occurs when the cartilage protecting your bones wears away, causing the rubbing of bones against each other. Your body naturally is programmed to respond to any form of wear, and tear so instead, the body grows new bone to protect itself. The bone spurs or overgrown vertebrae bone spread to the spinal canal, causing the space to narrow and eventually pitching the nerves running along the spine.
Thickened ligaments
Various strands run along your spine, known as ligaments. The ligaments are fiber in nature and assist in holding your spine together. The tough cords ensure balance within body parts by keeping the spinal cord intact. As you age, the ligaments slowly become stiff and thicken, bulging into the space occupied by the spinal canal. Thickened ligaments cause’ pressure to your spinal nerves, leaving you experiencing some pain.
Tumors
A tumor is also another cause of Spinal Stenosis as it affects the spinal cord. The abnormal growth can occur between the vertebrae and the spinal cord, narrowing the canal space putting pressure on spinal nerves. Patients suffering from spinal tumor growth are likely to experience back pain and muscle weakness. Medical practitioners use spine imaging with the use of MRI to identify abnormal growth in the spinal cord.
Contact a Spinal Stenosis Specialist Today to Help Ease Your Pain
Spinal stenosis is a health issue affecting most people in society. The health issue usually includes pain in the lower back and the neck. People with symptoms of spinal stenosis are likely to ignore visiting a specialist with the hope that it will eventually subside. However, it is advisable to start treatment immediately if you are experiencing severe symptoms.
While some back and neck pain may be mild, some can be severe. The team of experts at Houston Pain Specialist, led by Hui Kang, MD, will help ease your pain. Contact them today and schedule an appointment.
