A foramen is a hole. Stenosis is a narrowing of that hole. Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae that are named by their region (cervical, thoracic, & lumbar - C, T, & L) & the number from the top. L4 & L5 are the 4th & 5th lumbar vertebrae, & they are the lowest vertebrae in the spine. L4 & L5 come together and form a hole on each side (right and left) that is called a neural foramen. Out of that neural foramen comes your right and left L4 nerve. If there is foraminal stenosis at the bilateral L4-5 foramina, then you may be encroaching upon or pinching those right and left L4 nerves.
Your radiology report is basically saying that you've got a small bulge (herniation) at the disk between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae (the most common problem area for most people, including myself) at the back (posterior) of the disk. The foramina are the holes/spaces between the vertebrae in which the nerves pass, and it's saying you've got mild narrowing of those areas at those vertebrae. This is common in people with spinal problems, but most people get some narrowing as they get older. It's the degree of narrowing that doctors focus on.
Posterior herniations, though they can be painful (mostly from muscle spasms) aren't as bad as anterior hernations, which press on the nerves closest to the spine and spinal cord, causing pain which you never want to experience.
Regardless of how small the herniation is, the short and long term treatment is typically the same:
Short Term
Stay off your feet, reduce any sitting (both increase pressure on the lower spine).
Lay down with a pillow/cushion between your legs, big enough so that the legs are parallel to each other. This takes pressure off the hips, and the spine.
Take anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, etc., to keep inflammation and spasms down.
Long Term
Once you've herniated a disk, it will eventually heal; however, there will always be a weak spot in the disk membrane at that point. The only thing you can do is to work on preventing it from happening again. Refrain from lifting heavy objects, don't sleep on your back or stomach, but your side. If you have to sleep on your back, raise your legs with a cushion to get pressure off the lower spine.
Do your best to start a good stretching program (by good, I mean more than a few minutes). Anything less than 30 minutes isn't worth much. Toning the back and stomach muscles also helps.
Two OTC meds I use regularly (on top of opiates) is Tylenol Extra-Strength Rapid Release Gel-Tabs, and Bayer Back & Body Aspirin. Both work fast and are pretty effective. I often use them when I don't feel the need for Percocet.
Between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae, the ligaments that hold together the vertebrae have grown larger over time due to wear and ear. As a result, your spinal cord and the nerves that come off it at that level have less room.
I have bilatera neural foraminal stenosis. Will surgery be necessary?
Holes are narrowing on both sides all the way up
Grade one anterolisthesis of C4 on c5 is mild movement of the c4 cervical disc. This is most commonly caused by a sudden trauma.
What all can they do for it because I'm in pain all the time. Plus I have a buling disk. I'm doing therapy and its not helping.
Go see a chiropractor, specialists in the non-surgical treatment of back pain.
What the radiology report indicates is that you've got a herniated disk at the L4/5 vertebrae, which is pressing forward into the spinal cord passageway. The foramen is the narrow passage in the vertebrae where the spinal cord runs through.
what does bilateral facet arthropathy mean
means your discs are sticking outside the vertebrates but its not bad but can worsen depending on your daily activities and hobbies. And also can cause pinched nerves (NO FUN AT ALL!!!)the T means thoracic and it is in the middle of your back
The L4-5 level reveals changes of moderate facet arthropathy with again, relative stenosis of the canal on the same basis
Foraminal encroachment refers to that degeneration in the spinal column which causes the obstruction of the foramina.
There's a bulge pushing through the ring holding the vertebral disk between L4 and L5. The bulge is narrowing the opening for the spinal cord somewhat, and is also touching both sides of the nerves coming off the spinal cord at L5.
You might need surgery for focal left foraminal disc protrusion that contacts the exiting left L4 nerve root if the protrusion is affecting your quality of life. This type of surgery is most often accomplished via a very small incision.
My husband just got his mri report, at c2-c3 minimal left foraminal, c3-c4-3mm posterior central protrusion,c4-c5-posterior annular bulging, c5-c6prominent posterior bulge/broad based protrusion causing right goraminal stenosis, c6-c7 small posterior protrusion.. He has sever pain in his left arm...what should we do..
yes