Foraminal narrowing, or stenosis, is the constriction or narrowing of the foramina — small passageways in the spinal column that protect nerve roots as they enter and exit the spinal canal. The diagnosis of left foraminal narrowing means that one of the canals on the left side of the spinal column has become constricted, usually as a result of age or the development of another spine condition like a herniated disc or bone spur.

Before you can treat left foraminal narrowing, your doctor must first determine the cause of the condition. Typically, another degenerative spine disease has developed and caused a small part of the spine to move out of alignment, narrowing the available space in the foraminal canal. Once this condition has been identified, your doctor can recommend treatment options designed to relieve the pain and symptoms caused by the source of your foraminal narrowing.

Causes of foraminal narrowing

Each vertebra in the spine has two foramina, one located on either side. As the spine ages and gradually deteriorates over time, the discs and joints of the spine may break down and move out of alignment. In some cases, conditions like a bulging disc or bone spur may develop, pushing into the empty space in the foraminal canal. This is called foraminal canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing.

Because foraminal narrowing is often caused by the degeneration of the spine, it commonly develops in the highly flexible areas of the spine, like the cervical (upper) and lumbar (lower) regions. Conditions that may cause left foraminal narrowing include:

• Spondylolisthesis
• Bone spurs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet disease
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Thickened ligaments

Treatment for left foraminal narrowing

Treatment for left foraminal narrowing is normally first attempted conservatively, with a variety of nonsurgical techniques. Pain medication, anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, low-impact exercises, stretching and hot/cold compresses all can be used to relieve pain.

If the foraminal stenosis is severe and your symptoms haven’t reduced after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, your doctor may recommend spine surgery.

The minimally invasive spine surgery at USA Spine Care has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck and back pain. Many patients choose our minimally invasive procedures because they are safer and effective when compared to traditional open back surgery^. This is because we use a less than 1-inch incision and muscle-sparing techniques, unlike traditional spine surgery that requires a large incision and the cutting and tearing of the surrounding muscles. To start your journey to pain relief, contact USA Spine Care today.

When you speak with a member of our team, request a no-cost review of your MRI report or CT scan* to help you find out if you may be a candidate for one of our procedures.

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