Pathophysiology
Spinal stenosis can be caused by a variety of conditions that weaken, destabilize, or realign the spine. Causes of spinal stenosis are usually degenerative and associated with aging, but may also be traumatic or congenital in nature.
There are many conditions that can decrease the size of the spinal canal. Typical pathophysiology for spinal stenosis may include one or a combination of the following:
- Degenerated discs may cause instability in the vertebral column, sometimes forcing the spinal canal to narrow.
- Osteophyte formation, as a response to physiological stresses created by degeneration, can cause impingement of the canal or nerve roots.
- Arthritic degeneration can cause formation of synovial cysts and facet joint hypertrophy, which can encroach on the spinal canal and the neural foramina.
- Vertebral compression fractures can cause the bone to encroach on the spinal canal.
Cervical stenosis is a frequent cause of cord dysfunction due to the mechanical compression and degenerative instability associated with cervical stenosis. The degeneration can lead to osteophyte formation, most often at the C5-6 or C6-7 level.
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