Foraminal Stenosis in the Neck May Require Surgical Treatment

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Foraminal Stenosis in the Neck May Require Surgical Treatment

Foraminal stenosis in the neck is the narrowing of the foramen, or open spaces, in the cervical spine where nerves exit the spinal canal. Existing at every level of the spine, foramen are narrow passageways between the vertebrae through which nerves pass as they branch off the spinal cord and extend throughout the body. Yet over time, these passageways can gradually become narrowed, which causes compression of the nerves. This nerve compression can result in a number of painful symptoms depending on the location of the nerve.

Typically referred to as a form of spine degeneration, the effects of foraminal stenosis in the neck often develop slowly as a result of regular wear and tear on the spine. Some of the most common sources of nerve compression in the vertebral foramen include:

Bone spurs
Swollen soft tissue
Herniated discs or other forms of degenerative disc disease

Frustratingly, spinal stenosis in the neck can cause a number of painful symptoms, depending on the nerve that has become compressed. The most common symptom of this condition is local neck pain, but unexpected muscle weakness in the shoulders and arms, numbness in the fingers, or pain radiating along the ulnar nerve can all be traced to stenosis.

If you are experiencing the effects of foraminal stenosis in the neck, it is important to remember that you have options. While conservative treatments aren’t always successful for treating stenosis, that doesn’t mean you have to settle on a major open neck operation. Instead, Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers a minimally invasive alternative, known as an endoscopic foraminotomy. During this outpatient procedure, our experienced spinal surgeons gently alleviate the source of your discomfort with state-of-the-art lasers.

To learn more about our treatment for foraminal stenosis in the neck and to request a completely free review of your MRI or CT scan, contact LSI today.

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