Surgical opening of the neural foramen. Done to relieve pressure on a nerve root exiting through the foramen.
Foraminotomy is opening up of the hole that a nerve root has to travel through after it leaves the spinal cord on its way to an extremity (arm or leg). Stenosis (narrowing) or a foramen (foraminal stenosis) is a frequent cause of radiculopathy (nerve pinching that can result in pain, numbness, and weakness in the extremity supplied by that nerve).
Foraminotomy is removal of bone. The surgeon uses bone cutting instruments and drills.
Foraminotomy can be done as an isolated procedure or as part of a more extensive procedure (example: laminectomy with foraminotomy).
The amount of bone that is removed to open the foramen (foraminotomy) is small. The procedure is done through the back of the neck where there are very few vital structures (as opposed to the front of the neck where the carotid artery, vagus nerve, internal jugular vein, trachea, and esophagus are all liable to injury in the course of an anterior cervical discectomy). Foraminotomy does not require fusion with placement of bone grafts and screws and plates.
Because it is a short simple operation with little risk of complications the stay in the hospital should be short (1-2 days) with a return to work in 2-3 weeks. No collar necessary to immobilize the neck but the patient may find it more comfortable to wear a soft collar for the first days or weeks after surgery.
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