For individuals looking to improve their spinal health, can understanding the anatomy of the intervertebral foramen help in injury rehabilitation and prevention?
Table of Contents
The intervertebral foramen, aka neural foramen, is the opening between the vertebrae through which spinal nerve roots connect and exit to other body areas. If the foramina narrows, it can place added pressure on the nerve roots near and around them, causing pain symptoms and sensations. This is known as neuroforaminal stenosis. (Sumihisa Orita et al., 2016)
A common condition that can affect the neuroforamina is spinal stenosis. Stenosis means narrowing.
Stenosis treatment aims to relieve pain and prevent nerve symptoms from occurring or worsening. Conservative treatments are recommended and can be highly effective.
These include:
However, a doctor may recommend surgery for an individual who is experiencing:
Different surgical techniques include:
Orita, S., Inage, K., Eguchi, Y., Kubota, G., Aoki, Y., Nakamura, J., Matsuura, Y., Furuya, T., Koda, M., & Ohtori, S. (2016). Lumbar foraminal stenosis, the hidden stenosis including at L5/S1. European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie, 26(7), 685–693. doi.org/10.1007/s00590-016-1806-7
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2020). Spine Basics (OrthoInfo, Issue. orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/spine-basics/
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2021). Lumbar spinal stenosis (OrthoInfo, Issue. orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/lumbar-spinal-stenosis/
Choi Y. K. (2019). Lumbar foraminal neuropathy: an update on non-surgical management. The Korean journal of pain, 32(3), 147–159. doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2019.32.3.147
Lee, S. Y., Kim, T. H., Oh, J. K., Lee, S. J., & Park, M. S. (2015). Lumbar Stenosis: A Recent Update by Review of Literature. Asian spine journal, 9(5), 818–828. doi.org/10.4184/asj.2015.9.5.818
Lurie, J., & Tomkins-Lane, C. (2016). Management of lumbar spinal stenosis. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 352, h6234. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h6234
Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Myelopathy (Health Library, Issue. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21966-myelopathy
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The information herein on "Intervertebral Foramen: The Gateway for Spinal Nerve Roots" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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