|
Nerve Compression
A herniated disc can bulge against the foraminal opening in the vertebrae, through which the nerves pass out of the spine. This can cause compression of the ultra sensitive nerve tissue in rare instances. The disc material is pushing from one direction, trapping the nerve against the hard surface of the vertebrae. This variety of nerve impingement process is called foraminal stenosis. It is also possible for the disc to bulge directly into the spinal canal, compressing many spinal nerves before they even leave the spine. This type of compressed nerve scenario is referred to as spinal stenosis. Osteoarthritis can cause bone spurs, which are an occasional cause of pinched nerves. Aging causes changes in our vertebrae which can lead to bone spur formation in and around the intervertebral foramen. This is the area that spinal nerves leave the spine. Sometimes these bone spurs can trap and compress a spinal nerve, causing symptoms. This type of pinched nerve can be a long term problem or might resolve itself completely without any treatment at all. This condition is also commonly misdiagnosed as the actual cause of pain, since bone spur formation is a normal part of the aging process for most patients. Spondylolisthesis can also cause pinched nerve symptoms. Sometimes the shifted vertebra can move so far forward that it will actually push against a spinal nerve root. In this case, the pinched nerve is a side effect of the spondylolisthesis and not a condition unto itself. Treatment must focus on the vertebral shifting in order to be effective. Piriformis syndrome is not compression of a nerve in the spine. It is the pinching of the sciatic nerve as that nerve passes under the piriformis muscle in the buttocks. Contributing Factors to Nerve CompressionDegenerative disc disease may lead to spinal nerve compression as discs dehydrate, shrink and lose their protective mechanisms. This loss of height can cause the disc to bulge towards the spinal canal, impinging on a spinal nerve.Muscle strains and sprains might also cause a muscle to spasm and compress a nerve against a bone. Severe muscle injuries can tighten the muscle sufficiently to cause compressed nerve symptoms in any area of the back. Severe Lordosis can contribute to pinched nerve symptoms when the curvature places pressure on the spinal nerves. Severe Kyphosis can also contribute to pinched nerve symptoms when the curvature places pressure on the spinal nerves. Facet Syndrome can cause nerve compression and pain. Bone spurs can build up around the spinal facet joints, causing neurological problems.
|
