Foraminal Spinal Stenosis and Bone Spurs

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Foraminal Spinal Stenosis and Bone Spurs

Foraminal spinal stenosis can be better understood if we break the term down into its components. “Stenosis” refers to the narrowing of any space in the spinal canal, while “foraminal” refers to the foramina of your spine, which are openings on either side of each vertebra through which spinal nerves pass. So, foraminal spinal stenosis is simply a narrowing of these canals.

One of the most common causes of foraminal spinal stenosis is bone spurs, which are also referred to as osteophytes. Bone spurs, contrary to their name, aren’t sharp, pointy growths; rather, they’re smooth deposits of extra bone. Your body manufacturers the growths as a way to reinforce a spine that has weakened due to a degenerative condition. These bone spurs eventually begin to infringe on the foraminal spaces and exert painful pressure on the spinal nerves. This type of stenosis can occur in the cervical (neck), thoracic (middle back), or lumbar (lower) regions of the spine. Symptoms might include pain, tingling, and numbness that can either remain localized or travel throughout the body.

If your physician diagnoses you with spinal stenosis, they will likely create a regimen of conservative treatments to achieve pain relief. This may include physical therapy, massage, gentle stretching, low-impact exercises, pain medication, or anti-inflammatory steroid injections. Although the majority of patients are able to manage their foraminal stenosis with non-invasive methods, some individuals will need to seek more progressive treatment options.

A common type of spinal operation that can treat foraminal spinal stenosis caused by bone spurs is a laminotomy. The lamina is the thin, bony roof that joins with the pedicles to form the vertebral arch. A laminotomy removes a portion of the lamina to create more room for the nerves being pinched by bone spurs. Open-spine laminotomies traditionally involve general anesthesia, a hospital stay, and lengthy recuperation.

If the risks and inconvenience of an open-spine laminotomy are discouraging you from finding lasting back pain relief, let the experts at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) tell you about our minimally invasive, outpatient alternatives to traditional surgeries. Using endoscopic technology and laser-assisted procedures, we have helped thousands of patients rediscover lives without pain. Contact LSI today for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

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