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Foraminotomy for spinal stenosis

Foraminotomy for spinal stenosis is a surgical procedure usually performed as a last resort if you have not found relief from conservative treatments like physical therapy or pain medication. In most cases, this approach is only used after several weeks or months of nonsurgical treatment have proven ineffective. To learn more about a minimally invasive foraminotomy, read the following article.

What is a foraminotomy?

The opening between vertebrae where nerves leave the spinal column and extend to other parts of your body is called the foramen. This area can be narrowed by conditions like an arthritic bone spur or herniated disc material, resulting in severe nerve compression. To learn more about spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spine as well as the causes, symptoms and treatment options, visit our spinal stenosis diagnosis and spinal stenosis treatments pages.

A foraminotomy is a decompression surgery that can relieve pressure on compressed spinal nerves and nerve roots. If your pain is severely limiting activities, like running errands, your job or time with family, and you have not found adequate relief from the conservative treatments prescribed by your doctor, you may want to consider surgery. If this is the case for you, contact USA Spine Care to learn about our minimally invasive foraminotomy procedures.

USA Spine Care’s foraminotomy procedures

During a foraminotomy, which is one of the minimally invasive decompression procedures performed at USA Spine Care, our board-certified surgeons+ access the source of the narrowing and clean out bone, tissue or other blockages that are the source of painful symptoms.

USA Spine Care’s foraminotomy for spinal stenosis:

  • Uses a small incision and muscle-sparing techniques
  • Is performed in an outpatient setting
  • Offers no lengthy recovery^

If you would like a free MRI review,* or if you would like to learn more about whether you are a candidate for our procedures, reach out to our dedicated team today.

Learn more today

If you're living with spinal stenosis in the upper spine and searching for relief, reach out to USA Spine Care for help. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping people develop the right care plan to  reach treatment goals and achieve lasting relief.

Contact us today to learn more. Call toll free 1-866-249-1627.

Spinal Stenosis "Quick Answers"

Depending on the region and severity Spinal stenosis feels like tingling, burning and/or weakness in the hands, arms, neck, lower back or legs. It may also feel like a radiating pain or shooting shock-like pain. Read more in the links below: Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Overview Defining Spinal Stenosis Researching Spinal Stenosis Learning About Back Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Pathophysiology
The types of spinal stenosis are region based and consist of cervical (neck), thoracic (mid back) and lumbar or lower back. In addition, foraminal stenosis is the narrowing of the foramen. Read more in the links below: Spinal Stenosis of the Neck Cervical Stenosis - Basic Facts Neck Stenosis Causes Neck Stenosis Treatment Central Canal Stenosis Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis in the Back
Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition, most often located in the Lumbar spine, may be caused by degeneration of the spine, wear and tear, sports injury, & collapsing discs. Read more in the links below. What Causes Spinal Stenosis? Obesity May Lead to a Stenosis Diagnosis Age and its Role in the Development of Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis Causes Identifying Common Causes From Birth Defects to Getting Older Degenerative Conditions Car Accident Injuries
The symptoms of spinal stenosis include tingling or numbness in the extremities, pain and weakness in the neck, back and/or legs. In severe cases bladder, bowel dysfunction/continence. Learn more in the links below: What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis? Spinal Stenosis Symptoms Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis What Should I Do If I Think I Have Spinal Stenosis? Spinal Stenosis and Hand Pain Recognizing Spinal Stenosis Have You Been Diagnosed? About Your Diagnosis Diagnostic Process Helping Your Physician How a Diagnosis Is Made Arriving at a Diagnosis
Physician specialties that treat spinal stenosis include: Pain management & rehabilitation physicians, spine surgeons, orthopedic specialists & neurosurgeons. Read more about these specialties in the links below: Doctors Who Treat Spinal Stenosis Spinal Decompression Doctors
Patients can expect recovery to last 4-6 weeks in most cases (depending on the complexity of your condition). People who choose minimally invasive spine surgery recover faster and get back to work sooner than those who choose open back surgery. Read more in the links below: Recovery After a Procedure What to Expect Recovery Times

  • Problems from anesthesia.
  • A deep infection in the surgical wound.
  • A skin infection.
  • Blood clots.
  • Nerve injury, including weakness, numbness, or paralysis.
  • Tears in the fibrous tissue that covers the spinal cord and the nerve near the spinal cord. These tears may require more surgery.
  • Trouble passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
  • Long-term (chronic) pain, which happens after surgery in some cases.
  • The chance that the surgery won't relieve your symptoms. And even if you get better with surgery, there is a chance that you may get new symptoms in the future.
  • Death from problems caused by surgery, but this is rare.

Read more in the links below: Overview of Risk Factors Most Common Risk Factors Obesity & Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis & Arthritis Treating Elderly Patients

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