Questions? Call Toll-Free 1-

Contact us today. We're here for you 7 days a week.

Contact Us By Phone 1-
Am I a Candidate for Surgery? Learn More
Request an MRI Review Submit Information

Foraminal Stenosis of the Cervical, Lumbar and Thoracic Areas of the Spine


Description of Foraminal Stenosis

At every level of the spine the nerves will exit through a small canal. This canal is called the foramen or foraminal canal. Foraminal stenosis is a narrowing of this canal.

Causes of Foraminal Stenosis

Constriction of the nerve roots leaving the spine in the foraminal canal is typically caused by bone spurs, a herniated or bulging disc, arthritis or ligament thickening. Foraminal Stenosis can also be caused by enlargement of a joint (the uncinate process) in the spinal canal.

Foraminal Stenosis Symptoms

Foraminal Stenosis can produce a type of pain called radicular pain which is pain that radiates into the lower extremity (the thigh, calf, and may spread to the foot) directly along the course of a specific spinal nerve root. It is often deep, steady and reproducible with certain activities such as sitting or walking, and follows the involved area of distribution of the leg covered by the specific nerve. Radicular pain caused by Foraminal Stenosis can be accompanied by numbness and tingling, muscle weakness and loss of specific reflexes.

The most common cause of radicular pain is sciatica (pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve – down the back of the thigh and calf into the foot).

Radicular pain is secondary to compression, inflammation and/or injury to a spinal nerve root.

Complimentary MRI Review and Initial Medical Consultation
Send us your MRI or CT scan for a complimentary review by our physicians. A Patient Coordinator will contact you to discuss your condition(s) and what treatment may be effective. This review is at no cost to you, with no obligation and is kept completely confidential between you and the Laser Spine Institute staff.

Contact us for more information

Need an immediate response?

Our live chat feature allows you to talk instantly with a Patient Care Coordinator.

  • - -

Download your Free info packet on Endoscopic Spine Surgery
& receive our quarterly e-Newsletter.



What is Laser Spine Surgery? Can Laser Spine Institute Help You?

You can get these answers by attending a free educational seminar.

Back to Health

Be inspired, informed and connected.

Expert answers, informational videos and inspiring stories of patients who returned to life at its fullest with Laser Spine Institute.

Patient Reviews and Stories

Natalie Gulbis shares her story about her road to recovery from back pain after minimally invasive surgery.


Learn about Natalie Gulbis's Recovery

Meet our Physicians and Surgeons

Our medical professionals know that you expect excellence in terms of medical attention.

Learn about our physicians and medical staff