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esStruggling with Foraminal Stenosis?
Laser-Assisted Spine Procedures Can Help
Your spine is constantly working in ways that you might take for granted. Your spine is what supports the weight of your upper body, it facilitates movement, and it is what protects your spinal cord. Understandably, your spinal cord is made up of a complex mixture of tissues, bones, ligaments, joints, and muscles, allowing it to perform its task.
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Minimally Invasive Spine Treatments
Facet Thermal Ablation
Laminotomy and Laminectomy
Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation
Foraminotomy
Microdiscectomy
Every day your spine bears the brunt of gravity’s pull on your body. As a result, it can start to degenerate over time. When one part of your spine degenerates, it sets off a chain reaction affecting other parts of the spine, which in turn can leave you with debilitating pain. One such debilitating condition is foraminal stenosis.
What Is Foraminal Stenosis?
The foraminal passageways are what allow nerves from the spinal cord to branch out and travel to the rest of your body. These foraminal passageways are easily damaged and are susceptible to deterioration. Foraminal stenosis is when the foraminal passageways become obstructed or when something causes these passageways to narrow.
When the foraminal passageways are obstructed or narrowed, they can begin to put pressure on the nerves that are traveling through them. Compressed nerves cause pain as well as other frustrating complications. If left untreated, foraminal stenosis can lead to permanent and life altering conditions. However, if quick medical attention is given, many of these permanent symptoms can be avoided.
What Causes Foraminal Stenosis?
Foraminal stenosis is caused by age-related degeneration of your vertebra. While this is the primary cause, there are other factors that can contribute to the severity of the symptoms you experience. Some examples of these factors include:
- Bone spurs
- Herniated disc
- Joint swelling
- Trauma/Injury
- Obesity
- Arthritis
There are lifestyle choices that may increase your chances of developing foraminal stenosis. These include wearing improper footwear, not getting enough exercise, and smoking. Genetic conditions may make you predisposed to foraminal stenosis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of foraminal stenosis vary depending on the part of the spinal column that is being obstructed. You will experience different symptoms if foraminal stenosis is affecting your cervical spine as opposed to your thoracic or lumbar spine. Additionally, the severity of the stenosis will change the symptoms you are experiencing.
General symptoms may include:
- Pain/discomfort
- Muscle weakness
- Pins and needles sensation
- Sciatica
- Pain when engaging in everyday activities
- Unexplained problems with your extremities
Foraminal stenosis is not something that occurs in a vacuum. It is usually associated with another condition affecting your spine. This is why it is important for you to seek medical care as soon as you start to experience some of the above-mentioned symptoms. Our minimally invasive techniques are designed to help identify why you have pain, why you are experiencing symptoms, and provide you with the relief you deserve.
Evaluation and Treatment
If you’ve been dealing with foraminal stenosis for some time, it may feel like pain is an inevitable part of your everyday life. With individualized care, our team of medical professionals is committed to helping you live a pain free life.
During the initial consultation, we will discuss your symptoms as well as your health history. We may recommend a physical evaluation as well as imaging tests to give us a better idea of what’s causing your symptoms. Once we have formed a clear picture of the challenges you face, we will work with you in creating a treatment plan that meets your individual needs and your unique health history.
Some of the minimally invasive treatment methods we offer include:
- Foraminotomy
- Laminotomy
- Laminectomy
- Radiofrequency nerve ablation
- Discectomies
Pain does not need to be a constant in your life. You can get back to living the life you had before foraminal stenosis. We can show you how. Contact us today.