Hi. I am also new to this site, and I am not a doctor, but I have a similar problem as yourself, called spinal stenosis. Because my problem is similar, I think I can help explain some of the medical terms.

Stenosis means a "narrowing," and I think the foramen is the hole through which each nerve exits your spine and goes to the part of the body it controls. So in layman's terms, "foramenal stenosis" means that you have a "pinched" nerve because the hole it goes through is too narrow. A Nerve that is pinched in the spine usually causes pain in the part of the body controlled by that nerve, which is why you feel pain in your leg(s). Maybe you've noticed that walking makes the pain worse, and sitting down while leaning forward sometimes lessens the pain.

The reason the foramen "hole" is too narrow is that you've got problems with your discs, the membranes that are found between each of the bones in your spine, which are called vertebrae. The discs are like flattened sacks of fluid that normally separate and cushion your back bones, allowing you to twist and turn without pain.

In your case, the fluid in the discs has dried out and parts of the discs are bulging outward. Sometimes this is considered a "slipped disc," and it might be called "degenerative disc disease" because you have a lot of it going on. It could also be due to conditions such as arthritis. Because the discs have gone bad, your back vertebrae are sitting too close together. The bulges and such are pressing against some nerves. When your spine has a problem like that, it grows "bone spurs" to stabilize itself. In medical terms, these are called "osteophytes," and these can press on your nerves along with the bulging discs.

Terms such as "L2-3" indicate where the problem has occurred. The "L" stands for Lumbar, which is part of your spine. "L2-3" means the problem, such as a bulging disk, is between the second and third Lumbar vertebrae.

These types of problems can happen to anybody, but it most commonly occurs in older people (you didn't give your age). In some cases, both your nerves and spinal cord can be compressed due to disc problems and bone spurs. This could result in increased pain, a lot of difficulty in walking, stiffness, leg cramps, and other problems such as bladder incontinence. About the only solution, at that point, is surgery. But if these more serious problems have not yet occurred, doctors may first try cortisone shots and physical therapy.

I hope this has helped, and that you get better soon. If I explained any of this incorrectly, I hope the people on the forum will correct me on this. These medical terms just aren't very easy to understand.

Hi Catfish and welcome to NT. I am so glad I saw your post. Just yest I had some Xrays for low back pain and the Dr told me that the L4-L5 discs have virtually nothing between them and they are bone on bone, which has formed a large bone spur. I have alot of lower back pain and also, b/c the discs are protruding, my R leg hurts... yada yada.

So thank you for your post.. It was really informative....

Thanks Catchfish....wow, you helped with your info. I hope this helps Erica too and I'm heading for the site Jo55 recommends.

My family doc seems to think this is no big deal. Says 'walk, get exercise'. I could only wish this on him (yeah, I'm being mean I know!).

I'm old (63) and so this is somewhat to be expected. It's familial also.

Man apparently wasn't meant to walk on two legs ; eventually we get spinal problems.

Oh darn; one more thing to add to my list!

Tootsie!

Hello Erica and also to Catchfish...

Sorry I didn't see your post until today. I too like daisy am feeling for you. I'm on my second painkiller in about that many hours. Hey, and a hot pad is great idea.

I was born with Spina Bifida. I have six lumbar and extra stuff everywhere else down there. I have had four back surgeries with three of them being in a two-year period of time. My first surgery helped a lot. For the first time in my life, I felt pretty good. So good that I did something stupid and fractured my back and that is where I got my next two surgeries from.

Have you gone to a good Neurosurgeon? I know you probably don’t need surgery but if you do then it will save you from seeing two different doc’s…

I do know alternating ice and heat help with the swelling, which is a big contributor to the pain. When you do this, it brings more blood to that area which helps with healing too.

Hope things start to get better soon. Head over to the spinal forum if you haven’t done that all ready, there are many great folks over there that might help with some of your questions…take care!!