The highly skilled surgeons at Marina del Rey Hospital offer minimally invasive surgical procedures for patients diagnosed with foraminal stenosis, such as endoscopic foraminotomy and laminotomy. Thus, depending of the complexity and type of the condition, patients can be further guided towards the most suitable treatment option.
Foraminal stenosis is the narrowing of the cervical disc space. The foramen is constricted and compressed against the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves. Most symptoms are usually caused by one nerve root on one side and the condition is characterized by non-continuous pain developing slowly over many years, being related to an activity or a body position.
It can also occur in the lumbar spine, but it is more common in the neck area. The average age of the patient with foraminal stenosis is 55 years and older, but the disease may affect men and women of varying ages and physical activity levels.
If you smoke, are obese, have a sedimentary lifestyle, and if you lack proper nutrition, you have a higher risk of suffering from foraminal stenosis.
Although the primary cause of foraminal stenosis is aging, the wear and tear of daily activity can create debris that collects in the foraminal canals causing them to narrow and press on nerves. Other causes include: bone spurs, herniated disc, bulging disc, arthritis, ligament thickening.
Foraminal Stenosis Surgical Procedures Performed at Marina del Rey Hospital
Marina del Rey Hospital offers minimally invasive, laparoscopic procedures:
Endoscopic foraminotomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure during which the performing surgeon makes a small incision, and introduces a small tube to the spine section that needs decompression. Breakthrough, tiny tools are then used to clean out bone, tissue or other blockages that cause the narrowing of the passageways between the vertebrae. Endoscopic foraminotomy at Marina del Rey Hospital has several benefits:
Our surgeons are experienced, highly skilled medical specialists, who perform minimally invasive foraminotomy procedure with great success.
Laminotomy is another common minimally invasive decompression surgery that Marina del Rey Hospital offers. Through laminotomy, the performing surgeon removes a small portion of the lamina – a bony structure attached to each vertebra – in order to widen and decompress the spinal canal.
Age, general health, medical history and other individual specificities are all factors that our trained and skilled surgeons at Marina Del Rey Hospital will take into account, so that each laminotomy procedure can be performed according to each patient’s individual needs.
Unlike many other back or neck conditions, most nonsurgical treatments (such as pain medication) are unlikely to be of much benefit. Conservative treatment can include:
These conservative methods of treatment are usually recommended before surgery is discussed. If these treatments are unsuccessful, surgical procedures (such as foraminotomy) can be an option. Minimally invasive procedures alleviates pressure on the nerves and/or spinal cord.
The most common symptoms of foraminal stenosis include:
Symptoms however, vary depending on which section of the spine is affected:
In order to properly diagnose foraminal stenosis, you will undergo a consultation, which begins with a medical history. During a physical exam, your doctor will look for limitations on movement, pain, loss of reflexes or other symptoms when you move your spine. Other procedures that can help confirm the diagnosis include:
Painful compression of the spinal nerves occurs in the case of the narrowing of the foramina in the spinal column. Risk factors of foraminal narrowing include:
Causes of foraminal stenosis include can often root in aging-related degenerative conditions, such as:
The great majority of the conditions listed above are usually related to the aging process and accordingly, older people are more vulnerable to foraminal stenosis.
Other causes include:
Before surgery is discussed, our patients might be advised to seek out and try alternative medicine treatments, which may act as effective pain relievers, and may help reduce inflammation, stiffness and motion loss.
Our recommendation: though yoga exercises can have exceptionally beneficial effects on the overall health, never perform bending, twisting or inversion exercises without prior consultation with our medical experts.
Chiropractic techniques are specific adjustment methods applied to the neck, arms, back and legs to relieve pressure in the spine and help treat foraminal stenosis pain. Chiropractic techniques may realign dislocated components of the spine. Manual realignment is able to create more space in the foraminal canal, which results in the decompression of the affected nerve.
Acupuncture consists of inserting thin needles into pressure points in order to interact with the energy flow running through the body. For foraminal stenosis, these needles are usually concentrated on the points that affect the area of the body affected by the condition. Acupuncture is often applied in combination with modern medicine treatments.
It is important to note that developed spine degenerations can hardly be changed. However, preventive lifestyle will significantly increase chances to keep a healthy spine and reduce foraminal stenosis risks. Lifestyle tip for the best possible spine health include:
For any foraminal stenosis related questions, information or guidance, consult our specialty-trained, skilled medical experts at Marina del Rey Hospital.
Marina del Rey Hospital is an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai Health System, 133-bed acute care Joint Commission accredited hospital offering general acute medical services and 24/7 emergency care.
