Foraminal stenosis / Spinal stenosis

[beaverc]

Hello, GREAT FORUM! Spine language spoken here.
Quick question; One of the "conditions" I have been told I have in my lumbar spine is Foraminal stenosis, moderate at one level and severe in others. DDD is also noted as well. At one point in time a three level fusion had been authorized but I backed out.
Anyway my question is what is the difference,if any between foraminal stenosis and spinal stenosis. Thanks!

[Harrison]

A few pithy excerpts may help you...

Spinal Stenosis and Foraminal Stenosis

Foraminal stenosis is similar to spinal stenosis but is singled out because it primarily affects one or more vertebral foramen. In a normal spine nerve roots have enough room to slip through the foramen. However, age and disease may affect the foramen by clogging the openings with debris that trap and compress nerves

Spinal Stenosis: eMedicine Neurosurgery

Spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve root canals, or intervertebral foramina due to spondylosis and degenerative disk disease.