Aging Any of the factors below may cause the spaces in the spine to narrow. * Spinal ligaments can thicken (ligamenta flava) * Bone spurs develop on the bone and into the spinal canal or foraminal openings * Intervertebral discs may bulge or herniate into the canal or foraminal openings * Degenerative disc disease causes narrowing of the spaces. * Facet joints break down * Facet joints may hypertrophy * Compression fractures of the spine, which are common in osteoporosis * Synovial cysts form on the facet joints causing compression of the spinal sac of nerves (thecal sac) Arthritis * Osteoarthritis * Rheumatoid arthritis—much less common cause of spinal problems Congenital * Spinal canal is too small at birth * Structural deformities of the vertebrae may cause narrowing of the spinal canal. Instability of the spine * A vertebra slips forward on another (spondylolisthesis) Trauma * Accidents and injuries may dislocate the spine and the spinal canal or cause burst fractures that yield fragments of bone that go through the canal. * Patients with cervical myelopathy caused by narrowing of the spinal canal are at higher risks of acute spinal cord injury if involved in accidents. Tumors * Irregular growths of soft tissue will cause inflammation. * Growth of tissue into the canal pressing on nerves, the sac of nerves, or the spinal cord.
Spinal stenosis
Fibromyalgia
Spinal tumor
Peripheral artery disease
Spinal disease
Cauda equina syndrome
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Osteomyelitis