What Causes Root Nerve Damage?

Root Nerve Irritations

• The central nervous system's root nerves run through a bony canal that spans the length of the spinal column. This canal consists of interlocking discs that consist of a hard outer layer and a soft inner layer designed to absorb shock and cushion the enclosed nerves. Root nerves exit the spinal column at specific points along the spine that correspond with different areas of the body, according to Spine Health, a medical reference site. Chronic nerve irritations occur when sections along the spinal column shift and cause friction in areas where a nerve root, or roots exit the column. These shifts can take place when a disc's soft inner layer ruptures and protrudes into its surrounding outer layer. Over time, damage develops along a root nerve's surface due to continuous friction from the spinal column.

Diseases of the Spine

• Diseases affecting the spinal column and nerves can originate in the central nervous system (CNS) or from another disease that affects the CNS. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, diseases affecting the immune system can trigger inflammation symptoms within the spinal column causing the joints, or interlocking bones that connect the discs to fuse together. Conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation along the spinal column, resulting in root nerve irritations and eventual damage. Conditions that directly affect spinal cord function include meningitis, degenerative diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy and cancerous tumor formations, according to MedlinePlus.

Aging Factors

• As the body ages, the bone structures that make up the spinal column can start to deteriorate. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, women past the age of 40 are especially susceptible to bone deterioration as hormonal changes start to alter how the body uses calcium within bone metabolism processes. As a result, weakened bone structures in the spine start to shift causing pressure to build up along the root nerves in the spinal column. Misalignments in the spinal column can also cause bone spurs to develop from continual friction between the joints of the spine. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, misalignments appear as bone structures that start to deteriorate and shift out of place. When left untreated, the spinal canal narrows to the point where the potential for root nerve damage increases.