by 
The Curious Bag
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According to Neurosurgery Today, approximately 75 to 85 percent of people experience back pain during their lifetimes. Back pain can be caused by muscle strain, or it can be the result of a disorder, such as Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis.
Lumbar
The word 'lumbar' refers to the lower back between the ribs and hip bones. We normally have five lumbar vertebrae, which are referred to as L1 through L5. L5 is the lowest vertebrae.
Foramen
Between each of our vertebrae there is a small opening, or canal, called a foramen. Nerves exit the spinal column through the foraminal canals.
Stenosis
Stenosis is the narrowing of a body passage or opening.
Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis
In Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis one or more of the nerve canals is blocked or narrowed by debris, such as a bone spur. This can cause numbness, weakness or pain in the arms or legs.
Ages Affected
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the disorder is most common in individuals over 50 years old. Younger individuals can have the disorder, if born with foraminal narrowing, or if caused by an accident.
Source:
NeurosurgeryToday.org: What is Neurosurgery? Low Back Pain
Spine-Health: Normal Spinal Anatomy
Laser Spine Institute: Foraminal Stenosis of the Cervical Lumbar and Thoracic Areas of the Spine
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