I have had low back pain for many years. Recently my doctor told me I had Foraminal Stenosis. Can you tell me exactly what that is?

There are some people who do not have spinal stenosis but have foraminal stenosis. This is a condition, which may affect more than one vertebra. Normally nerves in the spinal cord exit along the gaps in-between the vertebrae called foramen (openings). Sometimes this foramen can become narrow and impinge on the nerve. Aging and arthritis are two most common causes of foraminal stenosis. The symptoms of foraminal stenosis are similar to spinal stenosis. However, not all foraminal stenosis requires surgery. When the stenosis is ignored, some individuals can develop wasting of muscle and weakness- in such cases surgery is required.

When surgery is performed to enlarge the opening in the foramen, it is called a Foraminotomy. Foraminotomy is often combined with laminectomy to provide the maximal benefit. If you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, surgery is best avoided. Surgeons can make a bigger mess of your back.