Login required to started new threads

Login required to post replies

Foraminal narrowing question
Quote | Reply
Getting back into training seriously again after dealing with an injury for the past two years.

Had a bike accident and developed bad bursitis in my right shoulder, in the armpit area. Off the bike for months. Took up running which is the bane of my existence. Finally decided to get a cortisone shot. Helped tremendously. I could then PT but was focusing on the shoulder during this time. Still couldn't ride for more than about 2 hours at a time before the shoulder would bother me. Oh and my right thumb was slightly numb this whole time. It got a bit better over time.

About 1.5 years after initial injury, acute stress caused a bad bursitis flare up. Decided to get another cortisone shot within 2 weeks. Figured it would not be as effective and that was true to a degree but it did help. The assistant at the shoulder specialist started talking about my neck...Fast forward I get a MRI and sure enough I have severe foraminal narrowing around C6 mostly but also C7 and a little C5. No injury to the spine.

So I have been focusing on some neck type PT, mostly moving my head forward and back, side to side, tilting. It has greatly helped and my thumb seems to be improving as well.

So my question to you: any other exercises or advice? To be sure, I am simply a roadie; I used to ride a very aggressive position, now I flipped the stem and am a little more upright.
Last edited by: beatle: Jul 28, 20 14:06
Quote Reply
Re: Foraminal narrowing question [beatle] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Adding neck traction can temporarily open the foramen to help rest and calm the nerves. The PT works to loosen the muscles around the neck to reduce tension that is compressing the foramen. These guys Bob and Brad are great on youtube. I am assuming the MRI did not suggest surgery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So4c_R18a30
Quote Reply
Re: Foraminal narrowing question [Jimbotri] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Thanks. Those two have a video on exercises that I am using now.
Quote Reply
Re: Foraminal narrowing question [beatle] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
There are specific injections you can get into these areas to potentially buy you some time and reduce swelling in the region, which may alleviate some symptoms. A good pain specialist should be able to advise you in this regard.
Quote Reply
Re: Foraminal narrowing question [beatle] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
A foraminal narrowing is a bone narrowing. No amount of exercise, physiotherapy or strengthening will fix it. Keep your money. Speak to a surgeon.
Quote Reply
Re: Foraminal narrowing question [Amnesia] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Amnesia wrote:
There are specific injections you can get into these areas to potentially buy you some time and reduce swelling in the region, which may alleviate some symptoms. A good pain specialist should be able to advise you in this regard.
My surgeon mentioned cortisone directly into the affected area is an option but I am not in pain now.
Quote Reply
Re: Foraminal narrowing question [beatle] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Thanks. I am not in pain now, somehow the exercises are helping. I figure that down the road, I will likely have to get surgery to open up the narrowing.

It seems that the surgery is often successful with low % of complications. I try to avoid surgery if I can.
Quote Reply