Foraminal stenosis is the narrowing or tightening of the openings between the bones in your spine. These small openings are called the foramen. Foraminal stenosis is a specific type of spinal stenosis.

Nerves pass though the foramen from your spinal cord out to the rest of your body. When the foramen close in, the nerve roots passing through them can be pinched. A pinched nerve can lead to radiculopathy  or pain, numbness, and weakness in the part of the body the nerve serves.

Some people may not experience any symptoms or have symptoms that come and go.

You’re more likely to develop foraminal stenosis and pinched nerves as you age. Arthritis and the wear and tear of daily living often lead to changes in your spine that narrow the foramen. But injury can cause stenosis as well, especially in younger people.

Types of Foraminal Stenosis

Symptoms of pinched nerves due to foraminal stenosis vary depending on which part of your spine is affected.

Cervical stenosis develops when the foramen of your neck narrow. Pinched nerves in your neck can cause a sharp or burning pain that starts in the neck and travels down your shoulder and arm. Your arm and hand may feel weak and numb with “pins and needles.”

Thoracic stenosis develops when the foramen in the upper portion of your back narrow. Pinched nerve roots in this part of your back can cause pain and numbness that wrap around to the front of your body. This is the least common area to be affected by foraminal stenosis.

Lumbar stenosis develops when the foramen of your low back narrow. The lower back is the section of your spine most likely to be affected by foraminal stenosis. This can be felt as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the buttock, leg, and sometimes the foot. Sciatica is a term you may have heard for this type of pain.

Your pain may worsen with certain activities, like bending, twisting, reaching, coughing, or sneezing.
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Conditions

– Low Back Pain
– Neck Pain
– Thoracic Spine Pain
– Leg Pain
– Arm Pain
– Hand Pain

Treatments

– Epidural Steroid Injections
– Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections
– Physical Therapy

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