 |
|
Nerve Compression
A herniated disc can bulge against an opening in the vertebrae, through which a nerve passes out of the spine. This can cause compression of the ultra sensitive nerve. The disc material is pushing from one direction, and traps the nerve against the hard surface of the vertebrae. 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 is usually temporary and can usually be treated conservatively. Osteoarthritis can cause bonespurs, which are a cause of pinched nerves. Aging causes changes in our vertebrae that can lead to bone spur formation around the facet joints. 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. 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 true condition by itself. Piriformis syndrome is not compression of a nerve in the spine. It is the pinching of a spinal nerve as that nerve passes under the piriformis muscle in the buttocks. Contributing factors for Spinal Nerve CompressionDegenerative disc disease may lead to spinal nerve compression as discs dehydrate, shrink, and shift. This loss of disc height can cause the disc to move 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.
|
