Neuroforamen

Neuroforamen are the openings in between the individual vertebrae through which the nerve roots exit the spinal column. These structures are often blamed for ongoing back pain syndromes, when a herniated disc or spinal arthritic process causes a reduction in the size of the opening, potentially creating a pinched nerve condition.

Neuroforamen

What are Vertebral Foramen?

There are foraminal openings at every vertebral level. These structures are basically just small holes which allow the nerve roots to branch off the spinal cord and exit the spinal column to serve the sensory and motor needs of the body. These openings are far larger than is required by the nerve roots, but can become smaller due to normal degeneration and osteophyte buildup or a compressive neuropathy syndrome caused by a herniated disc or other spinal condition.

Neuroforamen Facts

In order to experience a true pinched nerve condition, the foraminal opening would have to be virtually completely closed off. Although pinched nerves are commonly diagnosed, this situation rarely occurs, leading to widespread speculation about whether most diagnosed compressed nerves actually exist. In most cases, even a significantly narrowed foraminal opening will allow for perfect neurological function. Remember, spinal degeneration is normal and expected. Spinal arthritic processes affect all of us as we get older. Bulging discs are also very common and rarely cause any ongoing pain or symptoms. Additionally, there is much debate as to whether disc material is even capable of compressing a nerve, unless it calcifies…

Neuroforamen Advice

Continued compression of a nerve will result in complete loss of neurological function. The result will be numbness… NOT pain. Chronic nerve pain conditions blamed on herniated discs or osteoarthritis are very common, but are rarely correctly diagnosed. Far more typical for creating actual ongoing nerve pain is oxygen deprivation. Ischemia of the nerves can occur at very low levels of oxygen deprivation, causing wide ranging effects such as pain, tingling, numbness and weakness. If you have experienced chronic nerve pain from a diagnosed constricted nerve condition, consider your diagnosis and treatment options carefully. These pain syndromes commonly ignore appropriate treatment, due to the fact that the nerve is not compressed at all. This is doubly true when the suspected cause of compression is a herniated disc. If this situation describes your circumstances, be very careful before you wind up enduring years of useless and unnecessary treatments, like I did, or even an invasive spinal surgery.

Neuroforamen to Herniated Disc Home
7/8/08 Revised 12/9/09