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Foraminal Stenosis
Foraminal stenosis is a diagnosis which can be caused by several possible spinal abnormalities, but is also commonly
misdiagnosed
in many patients. Stenosis of the foramen encompasses some of the most common and popular reasons used to explain
acute
and
chronic sciatica.
What is Foraminal Stenosis?The neuroforamen are plenty large enough to accommodate these nerve roots many times over. However, sometimes structural conditions can block these openings, thereby compressing a nerve root as it leaves the spine. This is called stenosis of the neuroforamen. Causes of Foraminal StenosisThere are many possible causes of stenosis in the foramen, but the following are the most often diagnosed:* Herniated discs are the most common diagnosed source of stenosis. In these cases, the disc bulge is thought to block the foraminal opening, causing a pinched nerve. * Osteoarthritis can create bone spur (osteophyte) buildup around the neuroforamen, limiting the space for the nerve root to successfully exit the spine. Other potential structural causes can include: * Severe scoliosis, hyperkyphosis or hyperlordosis can all potentially limit the foraminal spaces. * Extreme
spondylolisthesis
might potentially cause stenosis of the spine or neuroforamen. Foraminal Stenosis FactsOf all the potential sciatica causes, stenosis of the foramen is the most popular and also the most commonly misdiagnosed. Laboratory studies have clearly shown that herniated discs typically do not compress anything and are usually not the source of lasting pain or pinched nerve symptoms. Studies have also shown that in order for osteoarthritis to cause stenosis of the neuroforamen, the entire space would need to be closed off by osteophyte growth, which virtually never occurs.The very diagnosis of neuroforamen blockage is often on very shaky grounds, even with severe spinal abnormalities, but the thought that a minor herniated disc or degenerative disc disease causing such widespread and acute sciatic nerve pain is mostly illogical. Foraminal Stenosis AdviceIf you have been diagnosed with a compressed or pinched nerve, due to a herniated disc or osteoarthritic process, be very careful how you proceed with treatment. These are 2 of the most common conditions responsible for leading the patient on a fool’s errand in searching for sciatica relief. Typically, patients with these diagnosed causes for sciatica do not recover and the simple reason is that the diagnosis is completely incorrect…My 18 year battle with chronic back and leg pain was blamed on DDD and 2 lumbar herniated discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1. These discs were said to be compressing spinal nerve roots, which supposedly explained my pain. Well, I tried everything find sciatica relief, without any success. Furthermore, it became obvious that my symptoms were far too extensive and diversified to be explained by these spinal abnormalities. However, I was the only one who seemed to care about that logic… My medical providers simply hung on to their diagnosis as if it were a life preserver in a frozen sea… Luckily for me, I eventually realized the true ischemic nature of my pain and was on my way to a complete recovery in a matter of weeks. Unfortunately, it took me those 18 long and grueling years to make this discovery… 7/5/08 Revised 12/14/09
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