I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis at 18, and tried to research it as well. I'm almost 21 and even after a laminectomy in June 2007, I'm still dealing with the stenosis and side effects like sciatica. Not to mention a plethora of other back related issues.

It's not that normal to have stenosis at a young age, according to what I've researched and information I was given by the doctor. In fact, even now when a nurse or doctor, or anyone for that manner hears I have spinal stenosis their reply is "At your age? No way!"

The conclusion that my orthopedic surgeon and I came to, for me at least, was that the condition was congenital (Basically, I was born with it).

Have you had any injuries to your back?
Do back problems run in your family?

I would defintely talk about it with your doctor more, but if you want to talk to someone closer to your age, PM me and we'll talk.

Amanda

Sorry you have to deal with spinal stenois at such a young age,i have it too but i am 47,here is a link i found... http://www.revolutionhealth.com/blogs/randale/degenerative-disc-dis-5217

Hi Tpeterson and welcome to Spine-Health. Below is a link to some pointers our moderator Ron put together to help new members with the forum.

Have you had an MRI confirming the stenosis? We have a number of young members here on the forum. Post a few times and you will get to know them very quickly.

I was 19 when my issues started. I hit an oak tree with my car at 110 MPH and am very lucky to be alive. I am now 50 and have had a number of surgeries for arthritis and I know deep down they are all rooted from that accident!!!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact (PM) any one of the Moderators here Priestess , Bruce , Paulgla, DiLauro

Again welcome.......Paul

For an introduction, CLick on :

Welcome To Spine-Health

is what my doctor said I have. I've always wondered why my back hurt after being on my feet a while. I've always gotten back aches from Christmas shopping (for some reason I remember this the most). Now I know why. I first noticed it probably in my 20's and I am 52 now. It was never much of a problem until I developed DDD and bulging disks so they compound each other.

Short answer is, some people are just born that way.

Teri

There is a condition some are born with called "Bertolotti" syndrome.
The first sacral vertebrae normally does not have a transverse process as the lumbar vertebrae normally do.These are lateral wings of bone attached to the vertebrae.Not seen in a normal sacral vertebrae except in this condition.
This anomaly is also called a "transitional" vertebrae.
People born with this condition have a much higher incidence of back pain probably related to spinal stenosis.Can be seen even during the teenage years.
I have done a lot of research on it as I myself have the abnormality and am having surgery in 12 days.
A lot of health care professionals are unfamiliar with this problem.
Luckily my spine surgeon was well versed in its presentation.

I also have congenital stenosis.My surgeon told me that my spinal canal is smaller than a normal person.I've had back issue for most of my life.Trouble with my legs like pain and weak muscles before i was a teenager but then i didn't realize what it was and the doctors didn't know either.I wasn't diagnosed with stenosis until a year ago now i'm 42.Looking back i had a lot of the same symptoms when i was very young just not to the degree that i had them now. At least you know what you have and can deal with it.

Hi, i am 17 also and dealig with stenosis, scoliosis, spondylosis and 3 herniated discs in the lumbar spine ( L3-L4 L4-L5, L5-S1 ). You are not alone...hang in there.

I'm 30 and have had back problems since I was 16. I had surgery then and still have problems. I was just diagnosed with Central Canal stenosis but its from everything else getting worse. Hang in there and know that you are not alone. There are others there for you to lean on for support.

I am 37, but, my stenosis is congenital and getting worse sadly.The more I recall various back issues during high school the more I probably missed them.I was a power lifter at the time and still suffer left knee issues from an overtly heavy squat session during my junior year that ended that dream.

My birth dad's side is full of back issues they call it the "our last name" curse.

This is a great forum with a great support system welcome!!!

Hi everyone. First post here. I've been a lurker for months.

My history: Started developing spinal problems at 15, did PT and chiro until age 21 when I could no longer take it. MRI showed bulging discs at L5-S1 and L3-L4, with a herniated disc at L4-L5. The herniation bulged into the left foramina first (sometime back when I was 15) and has been making its way to the right steadily over the past year. I also suffer from stenosis.

Now, about our problems. I've been doing some research, and I think there might be a way to fix our spines (at least the bulging discs, and likely the herniated discs too). There has been a lot of research in the past few years involving the injection of mesenchymal stem cells into the intervertebral discs. The animal models seem promising, stopping degeneration in most cases, and regenerating discs in other cases. The timeline on getting this research into treatment is sketchy. Studies need to be performed on vertebrates with spines that are relatively similar to human spines. Then human trials would need to occur. Then, provided testing panned out well, disseminating the technique to spinal surgeons.

But the point is: it looks like there may be hope. Real hope. Normal life hope. I hate having this problem. It frustrates me constantly, limits what I can do, how I can perform the remaining actions available to me, and destroys my ability to participate in anything close to a normal life. I want this research done. And I want it now.

If any of you want information about the MSC technique, send me an email.

I am so happy I found this thread I could cry!

I actually just posted over in the DDD forum looking for young people with Stenosis and DDD.

I too have looked EVERYWHERE on the net for trials, studies, journals etc for young people with these problems and have found nothing.

Im 22 right now and as of my last MRI (3.5 years ago) I had Lumbar Central Canal Stenosis with impingement of the thecal sac, DDD, and a disc bulge.

Ive had back pain since I was a child, but doctors always told me to do more situps, lose weight (I was a size 0, go figure) and that I was too young for it to be serious. At 15 or 16 they finally did an MRI.

I saw a spine surgeon when I was around 17 or 18 (why they didnt send me to a pediatric spine specialist I dont know) who told me I could live with it, or have surgery: fusion, or disc replacement. I decided not to have surgery because I didn't feel like they were taking my age seriously.

I find it incredibly concerning that there is no literature or studies out there about people our age. We have legitimate (sp?) problems that are being ignored because we are "too young". I mean...they offer me a procedure that is commonly done on lets say...40 year olds. Not to be morbid but they dont generally have to worry about that persons spine in another 50+ years. We do.

I was so excited about the new X-Stop procedure...until I discovered it was only for people 55+.

Im pretty much at my wits end with this. Im too old to go to a pediatric doctor now, but I feel like Im too young to see just any old spine doctor you know?

I understand that older people shouldn't have to suffer with pain either, but it seems unfair that there are so many studies etc for them, when some degeneration and pain is actually expected as people age. Not in young people.

I was just referred over to an orthopedic clinic to get a new MRI since my symptoms are MUCH worse now. Regular back spasms etc. Changing my sheets does me in for the day.

I know Ive rambled, I am just so glad to finally find other young people with the same issues I have been having.

I am thinking about writing to a bunch of spine surgeons and medical centers after I get my new MRI. Someone needs to do something about the lack of care for young people....feel free to message me if you want to get in on it.

Thanks guys