[?] Subscribe To
This Site

Foraminotomy

A Foraminotomy is a back surgery procedure used to enlarge the opening through which a spinal nerve passes as it exits the spinal canal. These openings in between the vertebrae are called Neuroforamen. When this opening is reduced due to a spinal problem or injury, there is less room for the nerves to pass between the bones. This sometimes causes a pinched nerve and the usual painful symptoms.

Foraminotomy

Surgical Treatment

The conditions usually treated with a foraminotomy include:

* Herniated Discs

* Degenerative Disc Disease

* Arthritis in the Spine

* Foraminal Stenosis

All of these conditions can create narrow neuroforamen, which can cause pain and other neurological back pain symptoms.

Foraminotomy Procedure

The surgeon can choose 2 methods of doing this procedure. It can be a full open surgery, under general anesthesia. This would include spinal incision, muscle dissection, and possible laminectomy, to remove additional bone. If the surgeon is trained in minimally invasive procedures, then the operation can be done with an endoscope. This will save the patient much recovery time, pain and damage to healthy tissue.

The surgeon will access the problem area and use sophisticated tools to carefully enlarge the neuroforamen, thereby decompressing the spinal nerve root. When the foraminal opening is large enough to once again allow healthy nerve signal, the surgeon will close the incision.

Recovery from Surgery

The minimally invasive form of the procedure will require the patient to remain hospitalized for a few hours, while the full open version requires a stay of a few days. Obviously, minimally invasive back surgery will have the patient up and around faster, making it a preferable choice. The patient will have to take it easy for a few weeks and do only limited physical activity. Physical therapy is common to help the patient regain full range of motion.

Foraminotomy Risks

As with all surgical procedures, there is risk from both the procedure and the anesthetic. Infection, bleeding, spinal fluid leak or possible nerve damage are all complications associated with this procedure. Make sure you know and understand all the risks before making a decision to have surgery.

Recommendations for Foraminotomy

I think this procedure. like many others, is used far more often than is necessary. The nerve roots do not need a huge space to pass through. Degenerated discs are normal for people as they age, as is spinal arthritis. Both of these conditions will result in smaller neuroforamen. However, most people do not experience pain from these normal conditions. I would advise avoiding back surgery, unless the situation is dire and an operation is the only possible solution. If it is your last resort, make sure to hire a doctor who will use a minimally invasive procedure if at all possible.

Foraminotomy to Back Pain Home page 6/11/06 Revised 7/10/08