Lumbar Foraminotomy Spine Surgery 

Candidates for a Lumbar Foraminotomy

Spinal stenosis is a blockage that narrows the spinal column and may block an intervertebral foramen, causing compression on the spinal nerves and resulting in back pain. Spinal stenosis can be caused by degenerative arthritis of the spine, degeneration or herniation of the intervertebral discs, enlargement of ligaments, Spondylolisthesis, cysts or tumors, skeletal disease or congenital issues. These conditions may also result in bone spurs or bulging, which leads to compression within the spinal column and causes pain to the immediate area, radiating tingling and weakness of the limbs.

A Lumbar Foraminotomy may be recommended to treat these issues following noninvasive treatments without sufficient success. If physical therapy, medications and injections have not substantially and sustainably treated the pain, the next step is often a Lumbar Foraminotomy procedure.

What is a Lumbar Foraminotomy?

A Lumbar Foraminotomy is a surgery to open the tunnels in the vertebrae where the nerves exit off of the main spinal cord. This technique is used to decompress a painful nerve. A small incision is made beside the spine in the location the patient is experiencing pain, next to the affected vertebra.

Using x-rays and a special microscope to guide each movement, minimally invasive tools are used to push the back muscles covering the area to the side to expose the blocked intervertebral foramen. Blockages such as bone spurs and disc fragments are removed to widen the intervertebral foramen and provide space for the nerves.

The tools are then removed, the muscles are put back into place and the incision is closed.

Results of a Lumbar Foraminotomy Procedure

Within the following hours, the patient should be able to sit up in bed. He or she may be experiencing pain from the surgical procedure, which can be treated with pain medications. Eating may return to normal.

The affected area should be handled with care following the procedure. Certain movements may need to be avoided, such as bending, while the patient heals. He or she should be able to return home the same day of the procedure and will need to continue caring for the wound.

In the weeks following the surgery, light movements may be possible and physical therapy may be recommended. After a few months, activity should return to normal and the patient should be experiencing some relief from his or her symptoms.

The results of the procedure will vary from patient to patient, but most people report improvements in their symptoms including a decrease in pain. Specifically, patients typically experience relief of pain radiating in the arms and legs.

What are the risks of a Lumbar Foraminotomy?

As with any surgical procedure, risks are always present. The risks of a Lumbar Foraminotomy procedure include infection, blood loss, nerve or spinal cord damage, stroke and complications from the anesthesia. These risks may be amplified by age, location of the affected area along the patient’s spine and any other medical conditions that may be present.

There is also a risk that the Lumbar Foraminotomy procedure may not be effective and the patient may need additional surgery down the road.