The Definition of Neural Foraminal Stenosis

As we age, we sometimes feel pain developing in our arms or legs. When this happens it is sometimes the result of the onset of neural foraminal stenosis, which can slowly develop into an extremely painful condition if not treated properly.

Identification

• The condition of neural foraminal stenosis is also commonly referred to as neural foraminal narrowing because the terms narrowing and stenosis are interchangeable The foramen are the openings in the skeletal regions of the spine that the nerves pass through as they go from the spinal chord to other parts of the body. Neural foraminal stenosis is when the discs in the spine start to degenerate and make the foramen narrower. A narrow foramen puts pressure on the nerve and causes pain. This can also happen when the disc herniates and causes the foramen to narrow. There is a list of other causes of narrowing foramen, including arthritis and tumors.

Time Frame

• The pain involved with neural foraminal stenosis usually develops gradually over a long period of time, unless some sort of trauma is involved that causes an immediate herniation of a disc or the fracturing of the spine. It can be difficult to diagnose the condition because it can take so long to develop, and it happens usually on one side of the body.

Prevention/Solution

• There are many treatments used to counteract the pain caused by neural foraminal stenosis, but in the end it is usually corrected by surgery. A surgical procedure to cure the condition traditionally involves removing the part of the spine that is pinching the nerve or removing the part of the herniated disc that is causing the pressure. The narrower the foramen becomes, the more intense the pain. In many cases, only surgery can relieve a person's suffering from neural foraminal stenosis.

Effects

• Some of the symptoms of neural foraminal stenosis are pain running down one side of the body, a tingling or pricking sensation running down the arms or legs and even the numbing of the arm or leg in more advanced cases. The side of the spine that has the narrowing dictates which side of the body feels the pain because the two are directly related.

Considerations

• When a person is suffering from neural foraminal stenosis, any temporary relief from the pain is welcome. To help relieve some of the pain, it is recommended that the person place his chin as close to his chest as possible and avoid any motion that would have him look straight upward. Looking up has a tendency to put more pressure on the nerves and cause pain.