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The Curious Bag
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Spinal stenosis is defined by the narrowing of part of the spine. While the Mayo Clinic says it is most common in people over 50, spinal stenosis can affect children as well.
Causes
According to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children's Hospital, spinal stenosis occurs in children when the discs between the vertebrae harden. In normal cases, spinal stenosis is a result of age, but in children can be considered an early form of arthritis.
Medicine
The most common treatment for spinal stenosis is conservative use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat pain. These drugs include ibuprofen and aspirin. However, long term use of these drugs can have negative effects on the health.
Effects
Children with more severe variations of spinal stenosis may need to undergo physical therapy and receive special modifications when playing sports and participating in physical education class.
Surgery
According to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children's Hospital, surgery is only required in the most extreme cases. Surgery entails creating space in the spinal column and cutting down on pressure.
Warning
Since spinal stenosis is so rare in children, doctors often overlook it when examining a child. It is best diagnosed via an MRI or myelogram studies.
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