Arthritis and other similar diseases can cause a narrowing of the spinal foramen. The images below show a healthy spine and a sp
ine with a narrow foramen. Which symptom would an individual with a narrow foramen most likely experience?
A. poor posture from loss of tendon attachment sites
B. back pain from the compressed nerves
C. increased flexibility from the constriction of muscle
D. lower blood pressure from increased blood flow
The right answer is B. back pain from the compressed nerves
Narrow cervical canal symptoms can range widely from no symptoms to gait and balance disorders to radiculaglia when there is foraminal narrowing associated with central narrowing. Discrete balance disorders may be early signs of myelopathy (posterior cords). Later, the patients suffer from proximal weakness and paresthesia of the four limbs, as well as disorders of the fine motor skills of the hands (do not manage to close buttons of shirt, difficulties with the writing, etc., on reaching the lower motor neuron). In more advanced stages, gait disturbances and even later sphincter control disorders may occur (upper motor neuron involvement).
