Foraminal Stenosis

What is Foraminal Stenosis?

Our spine is the most important structural feature of our body. It is a major stabilizer and shock absorber; bearer of weight; and it holds the rest of the skeleton together. We use our spine in bending, twisting, picking things up, and turning our head. We must have it to walk, dance, or perform any number of daily activities.

Unfortunately, our spine is susceptible to wear and tear as we age. This gradual deterioration includes the degeneration of cartilage that cushions our vertebral joints. When this cartilage starts to erode, bone-on-bone contact can occur. This friction alone can cause irritation; however, constant pressure can also result in the pinching of our foraminal nerves.

The foramina are openings between our vertebrae that allow for spinal nerves to branch out to the rest of our body. When degeneration occurs, these openings get smaller, leaving far less room for the nerves to exit from each opening in our vertebrae. This degeneration eventually leads to these nerves being pinched by the vertebral bones, causing a variety of irritating, painful, or debilitating symptoms.

Common causes of foraminal stenosis include:

Worried that you might have foraminal stenosis? With over 20 years of surgical excellence in Redefining Relief, Dr. Daveed Frazier uses the latest advancements in minimally invasive techniques to resolve chronic neck & back pain.

What are the Symptoms of Foraminal Stenosis?

As with most spinal conditions, the symptoms of foraminal stenosis will fluctuate from person to person. The most typical differences to consider are the spinal origin of the stenosis and the severity of a patient’s discomfort. For example, foraminal stenosis is most commonly experienced in the cervical (neck) region of the spine; but for some patients, foraminal stenosis occurs in the lumbar spine (or lower back).

Although individual symptoms will vary significantly as a result of differences such as these, general warning signs of foraminal stenosis may include:

Are you concerned that you may be experiencing foraminal stenosis or any of these troubling symptoms? Contact NYC Spine today and our Harvard-trained, board certified surgeon, Dr. Frazier, will help you find relief from chronic pain!

What are the Treatments for Foraminal Stenosis?

The first step in treating foraminal stenosis is to secure a proper diagnosis. Your physician may ask you about your medical history; perform a physical examination of the spine; or ask you to move in certain ways to stimulate the pain that you are experiencing. Other routes to diagnosis include highly accurate technologies such as MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays.

If a diagnosis of foraminal stenosis is determined, any of the following minimally invasive treatments may be suggested or prescribed: physical therapy, chiropractic intervention, massage, acupuncture, exercise, or lifestyle changes (such as smoking cessation or losing excess weight).

Medication is also a common course of treatment. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications can help manage your discomfort or control localized inflammation.

Although these methods are often sufficient to produce lasting pain relief from foraminal stenosis, there are severe cases that may require surgery. For those individuals who do require surgical treatment, NYC Spine’s Dr. Frazier has over 20 years of experience in treating foraminal stenosis and other spine conditions. Dr. Frazier may recommend one of the following minimally invasive surgical procedures:

Although these procedures are commonly used, they are not the only surgeries or treatments to address foraminal stenosis. Working closely in collaboration with Dr. Frazier, you will receive one-on-one attention to find the right treatments for your stenosis.

Meet Dr. Daveed Frazier

Dr. Frazier is a Harvard-trained, board certified orthopedic spine surgeon. He’s held an academic appointment at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York’s SUNY Downstate. Dr. Frazier is also a respected lecturer, accomplished researcher, published author on spine disorders and treatment, and a consultant for several international spine companies.

After completing his undergraduate education at Brown University, Dr. Frazier attended Harvard Medical School, where he graduated cum laude. He completed a Harvard internship based at the New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston, MA, followed by a Harvard combined residency before becoming chief resident at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Foraminal Stenosis

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