FORAMINOTOMY

Foraminotomy is a procedure done to relieve pressure on nerves passing through a small opening (foramen) between vertebrae (the chain of bones that make up the spinal column). The nerves passing through these openings are branching off the spinal cord. The foramen (openings) can become compressed by bone overgrowth, scar tissue of excessive ligament growth. A foraminotomy enlarges the opening and allows more space for these nerve branches to pass through without compression.’

Symptoms of nerve compression include: pain, numbness, and weakness. These symptoms can often be effectively alleviated by a foraminotomy. This is often done as a minimally invasive surgery with minimal scarring, faster recovery time, less blood loss and less painful recovery than traditional surgical approaches.