FORAMINOTOMY What is a Foraminotomy The clinical term “foraminotomy” refers to a spinal surgery that a neurosurgeon performs to enlarge the passage from where the spinal nerve bundles to the body from the spinal cord 1. This surgical procedure relieves pressure from the compressed spinal nerve root. Depending on the location of the nerve compression, neurosurgeons can perform this operation at any level of the spinal column. Nerve compression usually occurs due to the deposition of bones, discs, scar tissues, or excess development of ligaments. This may result in a pinched nerve. Foraminotomy involves the removal of these compressors such as a small bony portion, scar tissues, soft tissues, etc. that causes the compression of nerve roots. Disc prolapse also removes in several cases by the microdiscectomy technique. A series of bones called vertebrae make up a spinal column. The intervertebral discs between each vertebra act as a cushion. This spinal column houses the spinal cord and protects it from injury. The spinal cord transports sensory signals to the brain from the body and vice versa. Nerves inside the spinal cord help to sending and receiving that information. These nerves exit from the spinal column through a small hole called the intervertebral foramen. Sometimes these openings will narrow down and compression of nerves occurs. Whenever this happens, a patient may feel several symptoms of nerve compression. Obvious symptoms of nerve compression include muscle weakness, pain in the arm, back, or neck, unsteadiness, aching or stiffness in the arm, numbness, partial paralysis in the arm, tingling, changes in the bladder or bowel, etc. The exact symptoms depend upon the location of the nerve compression along the spinal column. For example, nerve compression in the neck may cause neck pain and tingle in the arm and neck muscles. While performing a foraminotomy, surgeons make a minor cut on the patient’s back and remove the blockage.
