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Definition of Neural Foraminal Stenosis
Neural is defined as having to do with nerve cells or relating to a nerve or the nervous system.
Foramina is the plural of foramen and is defined as a natural opening.
While a foramen is usually through bone, there can be a foramen through other types of tissues.
Stenosis is defined as a constriction or narrowing of a duct or passage.
In defining neural foramina then, one would describe it as a hole through which nerves pass through the spinal cord. When the nerves pass through, they travel outward to other parts of the body.
Therefore, the condition of neural foraminal stenosis can be defined or described as a constricted or narrow opening that nerves pass through.
Symptoms of Neural Foraminal Stenosis
Depending on the area of constriction where the nerves pass through the spinal cord will dictate the body parts that will be affected by neuroforaminal stenosis.
The most common symptoms are:
- Pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Weakness
Causes of Neural Foraminal Stenosis
The most common cause of neural foraminal stenosis is due to disc degeneration. Through the natural ageing process, our discs may become herniated or bulge resulting in a narrow foramen. As the foraminal continues to narrow, nerves are compressed and the outcome of this is pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in the muscles of the affected area.
Another cause of neuroforaminal stenosis may be due to rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Finally, the cause of neural foraminal stenosis may be congenital, meaning present at birth due to heredity or environment influences.
While there may be other causes of neural foraminal stenosis, the above are the most common causes.
Diagnosing Neural Foraminal Stenosis
Neural foraminal stenosis may be difficult to diagnose for a few reasons. Due to symptoms most often occurring on one side of the body makes it one of the most difficult reasons. As an example, if you experience pain on the left side of your body, once it has been determined what condition you are suffering from, you may hear the term left neural foraminal stenosis. In addition to this, because the most common cause of neural foraminal stenosis being a degenerative condition, the pain and symptoms are slow and gradual.
As years go by, the pain and symptoms will likely increase, however it is not a continual pain, thereby making this condition difficult to diagnose. Through a thorough discussion with your physician of your medical history as well as a physical examination and most likely x-rays and possibly an MRI, the diagnosis can be done and treatment for this condition can commence.
Neural Foraminal Stenosis Treatment
Tradition or conservative forms of treatment may offer short term relief, however most patients find that altering their lifestyle to avoid certain activities or movement offer some pain relief. In order to experience full relief, surgery is often recommended.
There are now minimally invasive procedures with a very high success ratio that can be performed and patients experience a plenitude of benefits when comparing these newer procedures versus tradition or conventional surgery.