Depending on the cause and extent of the cervical foraminal stenosis, multiple surgical options may be considered. When cervical foraminal stenosis is severe or causing problems at multiple spinal levels, more than one surgical technique may need to be performed during the procedure.
What can be done for severe foraminal stenosis?
A few common physical therapy styles for foraminal stenosis include:
- Ice therapy to numb or mitigate back pain.
- Massage therapy to relieve pain or pressure across the body.
- Heat therapy to soothe and increase blood flow.
- Aquatic exercises to increase motion without added pressure to the spine.
How serious is severe foraminal stenosis?
The nerve roots that exit the spinal column through the neural foramina may become compressed, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness. For some people, the condition doesn't cause any symptoms and doesn't require treatment. However, severe cases of neural foraminal stenosis can cause paralysis.
