Thoracic foraminal narrowing is a condition where the nerve canals that allow spinal nerves to exit into the spinal canal narrow on each side of the vertebra, causing pressure or pinching of the exiting nerve root. Since the upper and middle back are impacted, the ribcage, shoulders, arms and internal organs are affected, leading to debilitating symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, tingling and burning. To learn about the cause and treatment options of thoracic foraminal narrowing, read the following article.

Causes of thoracic foraminal narrowing

Thoracic foraminal narrowing is commonly attributed to the following causes:

• Bone spurs
• Excess weight
• Spondylolisthesis
• Thickening of the ligaments
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Degenerative disc disease
• Arthritis of the spine
• Strenuous activity
• Genetics
• Aging
• Traumatic injury

Treatments for thoracic foraminal narrowing

In order to treat your thoracic foraminal narrowing symptoms, your doctor may recommend weight management, anti-inflammatories, pain medications, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, heat massages and range of motion exercises. However, if these treatments do not provide you with adequate relief after several weeks or months, surgery may become a necessary option.

If this is the case for you, contact USA Spine Care to learn about the benefits of using minimally invasive spine surgery to ease your symptoms. At USA Spine Care, our board-certified surgeons+ are able to perform a minimally invasive decompression procedure through the use of a small incision that is muscle-sparing to remove the source of the compression and relieve the pressure on the nerve.

USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain since 2005. To find out if you are a candidate for our minimally invasive thoracic foraminal narrowing surgery, reach out to our dedicated team and ask for a free MRI review.* We are here to help guide you on your journey to wellness.

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