Foraminal Stenosis

Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter trusted by over 15,000 people to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.

Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

• Imaging Interpreter: Foraminal Stenosis Explained

• Extra: How does an MRI machine really work?

Imaging Interpreter: Foraminal Stenosis

Foraminal stenosis, as seen on an MRI of the spine, refers to a narrowing of the neural foramen, which are small openings between the vertebrae through which nerve roots exit the spinal cord and travel to other parts of the body. These openings can become restricted or narrowed due to various reasons, leading to compression or irritation of the nerves.

Key Terms:

Foramen (plural: foramina): These are small openings or passageways in the spinal column through which nerves, including spinal nerve roots, pass. Each pair of adjacent vertebrae have two foramina, one on each side.

Stenosis: Stenosis means narrowing. In the context of the spine, foraminal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the neural foramen.

When foraminal stenosis occurs, it can compress the nerve roots passing through these openings, causing symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the areas of the body supplied by those affected nerves. The narrowing of the foramen is often a result of degenerative changes in the spine, including:

Bone spurs (osteophytes): Extra bony growths that can develop around the edges of the vertebrae and encroach on the neural foramen.

Herniated discs: Disc material may protrude into the foramen due to a herniated or bulging disc, compressing the nerve roots.

Thickened ligaments: Ligaments that support the spine may become thickened, causing narrowing of the foramen.

Arthritic changes: Arthritis or degeneration of the joints in the spine can contribute to foraminal stenosis.

The severity of foraminal stenosis and its impact on nerve function can vary. Treatment may involve physical therapy, medication for pain and inflammation, spinal injections, minimally invasive procedures, or in severe cases, surgery to relieve the compression and alleviate the associated symptoms. The appropriate treatment approach will depend on the individual's specific situation and the extent of the foraminal stenosis.

Ask your doctor or check your own imaging report to see if you have evidence of foraminal stenosis. If you do, ask your doctor about some of the treatment options listed above.

Keep up with this newsletter to learn more about the treatments listed above. We have already covered some of them including Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections, Radiofrequency Ablation, and Pain Medication.

Laugh through the pain…

If you’re curious…

Ever wondered how an MRI machine actually works? Click to find out!

In case you missed it…

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About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

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