Spinal Foraminotomy

A foraminotomy is a procedure used to decompress the compressed nerve roots. Foraminotomy is done in cervical spine, thoracic spine, and more commonly in lumbar spine. The procedure refers to the spine’s foramen; the nerve passageways through which the nerve roots exit the spinal column. Depending on many factors such as the location of the compressed nerve or severity of the patient's symptoms, a foraminotomy may be combined with other procedures such as a laminotomy or laminectomy.

Treatments

Spinal Foraminotomy
Foraminotomy is a minimally invasive procedure. It can be performed at any level of the spine. Foraminotomy is performed under general anesthesia. During the foraminotomy surgery, you lie face down on the operating table. A cut (incision) is made in the middle of the back of your spine. The length of the incision depends on how much of your spinal column will be operated on. Skin, muscles, and ligaments are moved to the side. Your surgeon may use a surgical microscope to see inside your back. Some bone is cut or shaved away to open the nerve root opening (foramen). Any disk fragments are removed. Other bone may also be removed at the back of the vertebrae to make more room (laminotomy or laminectomy). The surgeon may do a spinal fusion to make sure your spinal column is stable after surgery. The muscles and other tissues are put back in place. The skin is sewn together. Endoscopic foraminotomy surgery takes a minimally invasive approach to relieve pressure in the foramen caused by compression. Spinal bone spurs, herniated disc material, scar tissue, or excessive ligament development is removed to free the trapped nerve. View

Spinal Foraminotomy

Foraminotomy is a minimally invasive procedure. It can be performed at any level of the spine. Foraminotomy is performed under general anesthesia. During the foraminotomy surgery, you lie face down on the operating table. A cut (incision) is made in the middle of the back of your spine. The length of the incision depends on how much of your spinal column will be operated on. Skin, muscles, and ligaments are moved to the side. Your surgeon may use a surgical microscope to see inside your back. Some bone is cut or shaved away to open the nerve root opening (foramen). Any disk fragments are removed. Other bone may also be removed at the back of the vertebrae to make more room (laminotomy or laminectomy). The surgeon may do a spinal fusion to make sure your spinal column is stable after surgery. The muscles and other tissues are put back in place. The skin is sewn together.

Endoscopic foraminotomy surgery takes a minimally invasive approach to relieve pressure in the foramen caused by compression. Spinal bone spurs, herniated disc material, scar tissue, or excessive ligament development is removed to free the trapped nerve.

View