Post-traumatic spinal stenosis.

A normal width of the peridural intracanal spinal space has been described as necessary for normal neural tissue mobility. This virtual functional space, called spinal reserve capacity (SRC) is measurable with the aid of computerized tomography. Aging and various lumbar pathological conditions have been described as leading to attenuation or obliteration of this reserve capacity, a phenomenon essential for a symptomatic lumbar canal stenosis. This article discusses delayed, post-traumatic obliteration of the SRC, and its symptoms and signs are illustrated with ten case histories.