What is bilateral lateral recess narrowing?

What is bilateral lateral recess narrowing?

Between the vertebrae of the spine, there are openings through which the spinal nerve roots pass to exit the spinal column, called foramen. Foraminal stenosis is a condition in which one or more of the vertebral foramen narrows, impinging on or “pinching” the spinal nerve roots.

What does lateral recess mean?

The lateral recess is the region of the lumbar canal that is bordered laterally by the pedicle, posteriorly by the superior articular facet and ligamentum flavum, and anteriorly by the vertebral body, endplate margin, and disk margin. This region corresponds to the supra-axillary region as defined by Wilmink (22).

What is bilateral narrowing?

Bilateral foraminal stenosis details when the spinal nerve root is compressed on both sides due to narrowing of the foramen that may be caused by an enlarged joint, a collapsed disc space or a foraminal herniated disc.

What is the treatment for lumbar foraminal narrowing?

For more severe cases of foraminal stenosis, more intensive treatments might be prescribed. NSAIDs such as aspirin, or steroids such as prednisone, might be recommended. A change in diet might be suggested, as weight loss can take pressure from the spine and nerve roots.

What is the treatment for lumbar Foraminal narrowing?

How do you fix Neuroforaminal narrowing?

Most cases of neural foraminal stenosis improve on their own or with conservative at-home treatments, like painkillers, gentle yoga, and physical therapy. Surgery isn’t usually necessary, but it is considered a definitive solution for a case of neural foraminal stenosis.

What happens when there is a narrowing of the lateral recess?

Significant narrowing of lateral recess is also known as foraminal stenosis. Significant narrowing causes severe pressure on nerve by compressing the nerve from all direction. Significant narrowing results in ischemic changes of nerve.

How is lateral recess stenosis of the spine treated?

Surgery for lateral recess stenosis usually involves a decompression operation such as a lumbar foraminotomy. Los Angeles spine surgeons perform this procedure to allow for more nerve space by widening the foraminal opening. Similar decompression procedures may be done to free the affected nerve in other ways.

What causes pain in the lateral recess of the spinal canal?

When encroachment occurs, it may cause pronounced pain and other symptoms. Because the lateral recess is part of the spinal canal, when stenosis develops there, it is categorized as a central canal stenosis which is stenosis occurring in the canal.

Is the lateral recess of the spinal cord myelopathy?

Because the lateral recess is part of the spinal canal, when stenosis develops there, it is categorized as a central canal stenosis. In this case, myelopathy symptoms may ensue. Myelopathy symptoms result from irritation or compression of the spinal cord.

What is the prognosis of spinal stenosis?

In most cases the prognosis for spinal stenosis is very good. Many people can obtain good relief of their symptoms with nonsurgical treatment. In some case, as the stenosis becomes more severe, the nonsurgical treatment become less effective. For those patients, surgery is a good option to consider.

What are the types of lateral recess stenosis?

Lateral recess stenosis can be classified into three basic types – left, right and bilateral recess stenosis. Left lateral recess stenosis means a nerve root on the left side of the spine is compressed, causing symptoms on the left side of the body (the left arm or leg, for example).

What is treatment for severe stenosis?

While conventional treatments for stenosis include taking medications to lower inflammation or pain — and sometimes in severe cases spinal surgery — natural treatments including exercise, stretching, physical therapy and warming/icing the painful area can also be highly effective.

What is lateral recess stenosis?

Lateral Recess Stenosis. Lateral recess stenosis, also called subarticular stenosis, is a condition that is very closely related to neuroforaminal stenosis in its presentation and symptomology, but differs in the exact anatomical area where the nerve is actually compressed.