What is Foraminotomy surgery?

Foraminotomy is a type of decompression surgery that can alleviate the pain associated with foraminal stenosis in a minimally invasive manner. The human spine is made up of stacked vertebrae with intervertebral discs in between, allowing the spine to move freely without compressing the nerves. The foramina, small openings on both sides of the vertebrae, allow nerve roots to travel from the spinal cord to other parts of the body. When the foramina narrows due to spine conditions such as bulging discs, it causes foraminal stenosis, or the narrowing of the foraminal spine.

Why the Procedure Is Performed?

The procedure is performed when a patient is diagnosed with foraminal spinal stenosis. It is a condition where a bundle of nerves (nerve roots) leaves the spinal cord through openings in the spinal column (neural foramens). The narrowing of these openings for the nerve root puts pressure on the nerve.

Doctors usually recommend surgery in situations where patients experience severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. These symptoms include:

• Deep and steady pain in the thigh, calf, lower back, shoulder, arms, or hands.
• Pain while performing certain activities or moving the body a certain way.
• Trouble walking or holding things.
• Numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness.

Procedure

Step 1: The patient is given general anesthesia.

Step 2: The surgeon uses a surgical microscope to delineate the site.

Step 3: Intrusive bone and disc fragments are removed.

Step 4: The surgeon performs a laminotomy, a procedure involving the removal of a portion of the lamina, the bony covering of the spinal cord.

Some patients may also need a spinal fusion during the same procedure. This helps add stability to the spinal column.

Risks

Patients are at the following risks of anesthesia and surgery in general:

• Reactions to medications
• Trouble breathing
• Bleeding, blood clots, or infection

Risks of Foraminotomy include:

• Infection in wound
• Damage to a spinal nerve, resulting in weakness, pain, or loss of feeling
• Return of back pain in the future
• Infection in vertebral bones
• Partial or no relief from pain after surgery

What to Expect After the Procedure?

The procedure is minimally invasive, which means most patients can be discharged on the day of surgery itself. However, some patients may be recommended a longer hospital stay by doctors after an evaluation of their overall condition.

Symptom Relief: Pain symptoms tend to improve immediately after the procedure. In some cases, it may fade away gradually over the course of time.

Doctor’s Instructions: The doctor will provide the patient with a set of instructions before discharge. The patient must adhere strictly to these post-operative instructions to get the desired results.

Back on Track: It is possible to resume your daily activities within a few weeks after the procedure.