The Causes of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
The most common cause of lumbar spinal stenosis is degenerative changes in the spine, such as:
- Osteoarthritis: This is a condition in which the cartilage that cushions the bones of the spine wears down, leading to bone spurs and a narrowing of the spinal canal.
- Spondylolisthesis: This is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward or backward on the vertebra below it, causing the spinal canal to narrow.
- Herniated disc: This is a condition in which the soft, cushioning material between the vertebrae bulges out and puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Other causes
Lumbar spinal stenosis can also be caused by:
- Congenital abnormalities: These are problems with the spine that are present at birth, such as a narrow spinal canal.
- Traumatic injuries: Injuries to the spine can cause the spinal canal to narrow, especially if the injury results in a fracture that damages the vertebrae.
- Infections: Infections of the spine can cause inflammation and swelling that can lead to spinal stenosis.
- Tumors: Tumors that grow in the spine can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing symptoms of spinal stenosis.