Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Pain radiating along the path of the affected nerve
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or leg
- Weakness in the affected limb
- Symptoms that worsen with specific positions
- Headaches or shoulder pain (cervical levels)
Foraminal
Narrowing .
Foraminal narrowing occurs when the openings where spinal nerves exit the spine become smaller. This narrowing can place pressure on nearby nerves, leading to radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness depending on the affected spinal level.
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Diagnosis first. Treatment second.
Cervical or Lumbar spine condition treated with conservative options first and motion-preserving surgery when needed.
4
LA offices
Region
Cervical or Lumbar
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Foraminal Narrowing at a glance
- What it is: Foraminal narrowing occurs when the openings where spinal nerves exit the spine become smaller. This narrowing can place pressure on nearby nerves, leading to radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness depending on the affected spinal level.
- Common symptoms: Pain radiating along the path of the affected nerve; Numbness or tingling in the arm or leg; Weakness in the affected limb.
- First-line treatment: Physical therapy and posture training — Reduces mechanical pressure on the involved nerve.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding foraminal narrowing
Causes
Common causes
- Bone spurs (osteophytes)
- Disc bulging or herniation
- Spondylolisthesis
- Facet-joint arthritis
- Prior surgery or scarring
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Physical therapy and posture training — Reduces mechanical pressure on the involved nerve.
- Image-guided injections — Selective nerve-root blocks both diagnose and treat.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
- Foraminotomy / decompression — A minimally invasive procedure to widen the nerve opening — often without fusion.
Common questions
About foraminal narrowing.
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Ready when you are
Get clarity on your foraminal narrowing today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.