Foraminal stenosis refers to a debilitating condition where your spinal cord nerve roots (fibers that innervate your muscles and organs) become compressed within your vertebrate (back bones). According to Dr. Ashvin I. Patel, the vertebrate (bones in your back) encase your spinal cord. The foramen refers to the space that your spinal cord occupies within the vertebrate.
Symptoms
According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, symptoms of foraminal stenosis include weakness, numbness, and tingling and burning sensations in your arms or legs.
Causes
Dr. Ashvin I. Patel states that causes of foraminal stenosis include a herniated disc (condition where the soft tissue in between your vertebrate protrudes), arthritis, osteophytes (small bone protrusions) and spondlolysthesis (condition where your vertebrate slips forward).
Diagnosis
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center states that foraminal stenosis can be diagnosed with an X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a myelogram (test where dye is injected into your vertebral column for better visualization under CT or MRI).
Treatment
The treatment for foraminal stenosis includes pain medications such as aspirin, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy and the use of a back brace, according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Location
Foraminal stenosis can affect your cervical (neck), lumbar (back) and sacral (tail-bone) vertebrate.
