Foraminal Stenosis Treatment

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Most common back pain conditions are usually treatable through conservative methods, but unlike these other back pain problems conventional treatment methods for foraminal stenosis rarely provide much back pain relief. Rarely traction will provide some back pain relief.

When relieving pressure in the nerve root caused by the symptoms of foraminal stenosis patients will usually chose either activity modification or back surgery.

Seeing as delaying or avoiding back surgery is not dangerous, patients that are not in a great deal of pain or discomfort and whose lifestyle is not affected greatly by foregoing a few activities will often chose to live with their condition. If symptoms worsen or become unbearable a surgical option may be revisited at a later day.

Conservative treatment for foraminal stenosis in most cases will be the first avenue explored. Medications used to reduce inflammation and short courses of oral cortisone medication, along with pain medication will be often included in the initial treatments. Several medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin are medications that are helpful in targeting the nerve pain caused by foraminal stenosis. In some cases physical therapy will be decided on to try to help relieve the spinal stenosis pain. A cortisone steroid injection in the lumbar spine can decrease inflammation and swelling helping to reduce the back pain symptoms around the nerve tissue. Cortisone steroid injections can be repeated up to three times per year.

Symptoms of foraminal stenosis may be reduced in the early stages through the use of anti-inflammatory medications such ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Reducing the inflammation of the spinal nerves and the nerve roots with cortisone injections in the area of the low back pain may help to control the back pain.

Injections of the cortisone offer only a temporary relief and symptoms will often resurface once the medication wears off. Although only a temporary relief, no more than three injections of cortisone per year are recommended.
Physical therapy in addition to medication helps to restore a patient’s flexibility while strengthening back and abdominal muscle. Strengthening the back and abdominal muscles will help to add stability to your structure providing substantial relief from your stenosis symptoms. As stated previously conventional treatments are almost always explored before any surgery is considered, but surgery may become an option if these treatments fail and back pain and discomfort becomes unbearable.

Foraminal stenosis symptoms recap

Anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen)
Cortisone injections to the affected area used to deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area
A physical therapy program that may contain the following gentle exercises

Swimming (pool exercises)
Flexibility exercises
Strengthening exercises for the back and abdominal region
Aerobic conditioning

A brace can provide short term relief but is no recommended for long term use as it can lead to degeneration of the muscles that support the back
Acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation is controversial but may be attempted

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