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Foraminotomy - Overview

Alternative Names

Intervertebral foramina; Spine surgery - foraminotomy

Definition of Foraminotomy:

Foraminotomy is surgery that widens the opening in your back where nerve roots leave your spinal column. You may have a narrowing of the nerve opening (foraminal stenosis).

Description:

Foraminotomy takes pressure off of a nerve in your spinal column and allows it to move more easily. It may be performed on any level of the spine. You will be asleep and feel no pain (general anesthesia).

You will 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.
If your surgeon is worried that your spine will not be stable after the bone has been removed, you may also need to have spinal fusion.
The muscles and other tissues are put back in place, and the skin is sewn together.

Reviewed last on: 3/4/2009
C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Curlee PM. Other disorders of the spine. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 41.

Park AL. Lower back pain and disorders intervertebral discs. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 39.

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