How Neural Foraminal Stenosis Affects the Spine and Treatment Options

Neural Foraminal Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Types of Neural Foraminal Stenosis

Your backbone is also called the spine, spinal column, and vertebral column. The vertebral column comprises individual vertebral bones with spinal discs between each bone. Your spinal cord goes through a canal in your spine.

Between each pair of vertebrae are a right and a left neural foramen where the spinal nerves at that level exit to the right and left sides of your body. Your spine runs from the base of the skull down to your tailbone. Its sections are called the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, and the lumbar spine. Neural foraminal stenosis can occur at any spinal cord level, but it’s most common in the lumbar spine and least common in the thoracic spine.

Cervical Foraminal Stenosis

Your cervical (neck) spine is the upper area of the spine. Cervical spine foraminal stenosis can cause neck pain and pain, tingling, diminished sensation, or weakness down the arm along the path of the nerve on one side of your body.

Thoracic Foraminal Stenosis

Your thoracic spine is the area of the backbone in your mid-back. Thoracic spinal foraminal stenosis is not as common as foraminal narrowing of the cervical spine or lower back. Symptoms can involve pain or tingling in the mid-back.

Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

Your lumbar spine is the lower part of your spine. Lumbar spine foraminal stenosis is more common than foraminal stenosis in other areas of the spine. Symptoms include back pain and pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness down one leg.

Symptoms

Spinal foraminal stenosis may cause symptoms of a pinched nerve or may cause pain at the location of compression or irritation of the nerve. Symptoms occur along the path of the affected nerve. Each spinal nerve starts at the spinal cord and has a specific path down one side of the body.

Common symptoms include:

• Decreased sensation (numbness)
• Tingling
• Pain
• Weakness

Causes

Neural foraminal stenosis can be caused by conditions like arthritis, inflammation, or prolonged bad posture.

Treatment

Some treatments for neural foraminal stenosis include physical therapy, oral anti-inflammatory medication, injections into the spinal area, or surgery.

Outlook and Chronic Pain Management

The outlook for spinal foraminal stenosis varies, and you can discuss your situation with your healthcare provider. The symptoms are often manageable with medication and physical therapy. In addition to providing relief of your existing symptoms, treatment can help prevent your condition from getting worse.

How to Prevent Neural Foraminal Stenosis

Though there’s no way to completely eliminate the likelihood of developing neural foraminal stenosis, there are some things you can do to lower your risk. How to reduce your risk of spinal foraminal stenosis includes:

• Maintaining a healthy posture while working
• Avoiding neck or back injuries by exercising regularly to build strength gradually
• Trying to keep good form when you exercise
• Sleeping in a comfortable position with a supportive mattress and pillow
• Taking medication as directed if you have an inflammatory disease
• Getting medical attention if you develop pain or stiffness in your back or neck

When to See a Provider

You need to get medical attention for symptoms of spinal foraminal narrowing. Early treatment also gives you a better chance of preventing the worsening of your condition. If you have new or worsening pain, unusual sensations, decreased sensation, or trouble with movement, make an appointment to see a provider.

Conclusion

Neural foraminal stenosis is a common condition that causes symptoms of a pinched nerve. You might also have signs on physical examination, and diagnostic tests can help assess the level and severity of foraminal narrowing. This condition can range in severity, often improving with medication, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments. Sometimes a surgical procedure may relieve pressure on the nerve. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, you can take steps to prevent or manage neural foraminal stenosis.

FAQs

• What is neural foraminal stenosis?
  • Neural foraminal stenosis is a condition that causes symptoms of a pinched nerve due to compression or irritation of the nerve.
• What are the symptoms of neural foraminal stenosis?
  • Symptoms include decreased sensation, tingling, pain, and weakness along the path of the affected nerve.
• What are the causes of neural foraminal stenosis?
  • Causes include conditions like arthritis, inflammation, or prolonged bad posture.
• How is neural foraminal stenosis treated?
  • Treatments include physical therapy, oral anti-inflammatory medication, injections into the spinal area, or surgery.
• Can neural foraminal stenosis be prevented?
  • While there is no way to completely eliminate the likelihood of developing neural foraminal stenosis, maintaining a healthy posture, exercising regularly, and getting medical attention if you develop pain or stiffness can help lower your risk.