• Provide Comprehensive and
    Technically Excellent
    Neurosurgical Care
    Provide Comprehensive and Technically Excellent Neurosurgical Care
  • Offer Patients
    The Most Upto Date
    Surgical Advances And
    Best Practice Medicine
    Offer Patients The Most Upto Date Surgical Advances And Best Practice Medicine
  • Compassionate and
    Timely Intervention in a
    Setting Respectful of
    Our patients needs
    Compassionate and Timely Intervention in a Setting Respectful of Our patients needs
  • Open Communication With
    Our patients Primary
    Care Providers
    Open Communication With Our patients Primary Care Providers

Cervical foramenotomy

Cervical foramenotomy is a decompression surgical procedure that involves the widening of the neural foramen, the space through which the spinal nerve roots pass. The widening of the foramen helps in relieving pressure over the spinal nerves due to compression at the foramen.

The compression of spinal nerves in the foramen may occur as a result of degenerative changes in the spine that causes development of bone spurs which may lead to foraminal stenosis. Nerve compression can also result from a disc collapse caused by excessive strain and stress in the neck area.

Procedure

The basic steps of cervical foraminotomy include:

  • The procedure is conducted in an operating room with the patient under general anaesthesia.
  • The patient lies face down, on the operating table.
  • An X-ray is used to identify the location of the incision.
  • A small incision is made over the middle of the neck, at the back.
  • The muscles are retracted (moved aside) with the help of a retractor.
  • A surgical microscope is employed to magnify the view of the area being operated.
  • Specially designed cutting instruments are then used to remove bone spurs, thickened ligaments and segments of the herniated disc.
  • Removal of the bones and tissues around the neural foramen also releases the compression over the nerve roots.
  • Finally, all the muscles and the soft tissues are placed in their appropriate positions and the wound is sutured.

Post-operative care

  • Use of soft neck brace
  • Keep the incision clean and dry
  • Move the neck with care and comfort
  • Patient can return to work after 3-4 weeks
  • Avoid heavy work or any sports for at least 2-3 months
  • Physical therapy is recommended for the strengthening of the weak muscles

Risks and complications

Every major surgery is associated with complications. Some of the complications associated with cervical foraminotomy include:

  • Complications related to anaesthesia
  • Conditions such as thrombophlebitis
  • Infection
  • Spinal nerve damage
  • Persistent pain

Other Cervical Spine Procedure Pages

credibilty

  • University of Florida
  • The University of Western Australia
  • The University of Adelaide
  • Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
  • Royal Australasian College of Surgeons: RACS
^ Back to Top