Spinal disorders are a group of conditions that involve a loss of normal structure and function of spine. These are mainly due to:
The increased pressure on spinal cord associated with spinal degeneration may cause disc displacement or herniation, spinal stenosis, narrowing of spinal canal, osteoarthritis, cartilage break up and many other complications. Major Cause The disc between the bones of the spine is made up of cartilage, fibrous tissue, and water. With age these discs can weaken and may flatten, bulge, break down, or herniate. Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal, is a condition potentially more serious than degenerative disc disease. As the spinal canal tightens, the spine and nerves may be significantly compressed and irritated, causing both back pain and pain that radiates to other parts of the body, depending on the location of the pressure on the nerves. Symptoms The primary symptoms of degenerative spinal disorders are sharp and/or chronic pain, weakness, limited motion, and sensory loss. If spinal degeneration leads to compression or injury of the spinal cord, weakness and limited motion may increase significantly. Loss of bladder and bowel function and problems with sexual function also may occur as the problem worsens. The specific symptoms often depend on the location of the structural problem in the spine.