Spine update - Lumbar foraminal stenosis

Lumbar foraminal stenosis is an important pathologic entity to identify in the patient being treated for radicular symptoms. This update reviews the a natomy, clinical presentation, neuroradiographic evaluation, and treatment of pathology located in the intervertebral foramen. Patients with significa nt leg pain refractory to conservative treatment and concordance between th e demonstrated area of stenosis and radicular symptoms and signs are candid ates for the decompressive procedures discussed. The role of arthrodesis an d spinal instrumentation in the management of foraminal stenosis also is ad dressed.