How serious is foraminal stenosis?
For some people, the condition doesn’t cause any symptoms and doesn’t require treatment. However, severe cases of neural foraminal stenosis can cause paralysis. If symptoms do occur, they typically happen on the side of the body where the nerve root becomes pinched.
What is the treatment for severe foraminal stenosis?
The least invasive spine procedures used to treat foraminal stenosis include foraminoplasty, laminotomy and discectomy. Each procedure is designed to take pressure off the nerve and repair the tightening of your foramen.
Is stenosis of spine serious?
Spinal stenosis is a condition that results in the narrowing of the spinal column, often accompanied by painful, debilitating compression of the spinal cord as well as nerve roots. For some people, the pain can be so severe it is incapacitating, making even everyday activities nearly impossible.
What is the most common treatment for spinal stenosis?
The goals of surgery include relieving the pressure on your spinal cord or nerve roots by creating more space within the spinal canal. Surgery to decompress the area of stenosis is the most definitive way to try to resolve symptoms of spinal stenosis.
Will foraminal stenosis get worse?
While cervical foraminal stenosis tends to progress over time, the symptoms may not necessarily worsen. Most people can manage cervical foraminal stenosis symptoms with nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy, medication, rest, cervical traction, and minimally invasive injection therapies.
What is the difference between spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the canals through which the spinal cord travels, foraminal stenosis is the narrowing through which the spinal nerves travel before exiting the spine.
Is foraminal stenosis painful?
When these openings narrow, you may suffer from what’s called foraminal stenosis. This can cause pain, weakness, and other problems with nerves that are connected in your spine.
How long can you live with spinal stenosis?
Answer: Yes, you do have to live with it for the rest of your life. However, many patients with spinal stenosis live life in the absence of pain or with minimal symptoms.
What activities should be avoided with spinal stenosis?
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
- Avoid Excessive Back Extension.
- Avoid Long Walks or Running.
- Avoid Certain Stretches and Poses.
- Avoid Loading a Rounded Back.
- Avoid Too Much Bed Rest.
- Avoid Contact Sports.
What is the main cause of spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis. In severe cases of spinal stenosis, doctors may recommend surgery to create additional space for the spinal cord or nerves.
What is the difference between foraminal stenosis and spinal stenosis?
Foraminal stenosis is a narrowing of the opening in the sides of the vertebrae where the individual spinal nerves exit the spinal canal and go out into the arms and legs. Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the central spinal canal where all the nerves and spinal cord run through.
Is walking good for foraminal stenosis?
Walking is a good exercise for spinal stenosis. It’s low impact, and you control the pace and distance. However, if walking triggers your symptoms, choose a different type of exercise. Discuss alternative movement options with your doctor.
What is stenosis of the back?
Stenosis is a general medical term that means narrowing. For back health, it usually refers to any condition that narrows passageways through which nerves or the spinal cord pass. With spinal stenosis specifically, the nerve structures have less clear space around them.
What causes lateral recess stenosis of the spine?
Lateral recess stenosis is sometimes caused by spinal canal misalignment or ligament damage. Disc wear and tear (degeneration), intervertebral desiccation (disc dehydration), and spinal discs that are herniated or bulging are possible issues that could lead to this type of abnormal narrowing.
How is lateral recess stenosis treated?
Surgery for lateral recess stenosis usually involves a decompression operation such as a lumbar foraminotomy. Los Angeles spine surgeons perform this procedure to allow for more nerve space by widening the foraminal opening. Similar decompression procedures may be done to free the affected nerve in other ways.
What are the results of spinal stenosis surgery?
Most people who undergo spinal stenosis surgery achieve good to excellent results with pain relief. Surgery results depend on your general health and presence of other medical conditions, severity and location of your spinal stenosis, experience and skills of your surgeon and your commitment to your recovery plan. Can spinal stenosis be reversed?