Foraminal Herniated DiscA foraminal herniated disc may also be known by several other terminologies including a foraminal disc bulge or foraminal disc protrusion. These herniations are similar to posterolateral herniated discs, in that they bulge off center to the left or to the right. However, in the case of foraminal bulges, the disc blocks off some or all of the neuroforaminal opening through which the spinal nerves exit at the affected level. This can occasionally cause a pinched nerve to occur when considerable force is enacted against the nerve structure.
The neuroforamen is a space on either side of the vertebrae through which nerve roots pass out of the spinal canal at every vertebral level. There are left and right foramen at each level and nerve roots which exit to both sides. Neuroforamen can be partially or completely blocked off due to many reasons, including spinal misalignment issues, spinal curvature issues, osteoarthritic change issues and disc issues. The foraminal disc bulge is one of these issues that can compress a nerve as it leaves the foraminal space, potentially causing significant symptoms including pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in the area of the anatomy served by the affected nerve structure.
The theory of a pinched nerve is diagnosed far more often than it actually occurs in the spine. In many cases, the disc may well block much of the neuroforaminal space, but there is still plenty of room for the nerve to exit without suffering any compression at all. I always suggest clinical correlation with a neurologist for any suspected nerve compression syndrome, since often, the symptoms will not match the expectations for the diagnostic theory. In fact, in most cases, the symptoms will prove far too wide ranging for a single level compressive neuropathy condition to enact. Remember that even large herniations do not necessarily cause any pain or other related symptoms. The disc MUST actually affect the nerve structure in order for these symptoms to occur in the case of
foraminal stenosis
leading to a pinched nerve diagnosis…
Foraminal Herniated Disc DetailsForaminal herniations can be focal or broad based and many are also classifiable as other types of herniations, including paramedian bulges. Treatment options for pinched nerves are often incredibly unenlightened… Assuming that the disc IS actually pinching the nerve, how can such common conservative care practices as physical therapy or drugs cure it? They can’t. They won’t. Strangely, many patients seem to do better with the passage of time alone and patients who have been misdiagnosed and are actually suffering from ischemic back pain will typically respond well to knowledge therapy. In the case of true objective weakness or numbness and associated muscular dysfunction, the chances for an actual compressive neuropathy rise. However, this is a rule with possible exceptions… Remember to consider all possible explanations for your symptoms, particularly if they do not correlate precisely to the clinical expectation of the diagnosis.Foraminal Herniated Disc to Herniated Disc 8/31/10 Revised 7/15/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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