Minimally Invasive Cervical Foraminotomy

Cervical foraminotomies are done for focal disc herniations that are compression spinal nerve roots in the neck (cervical spine). Compression of cervical spinal nerve roots can cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms.  Typically the symptoms are in a specific pattern in the arm that correlate with a particular nerve.

Minimally invasive cervical foraminotomies are performed through a very small incision in the back of the neck.  A small tube is places in between the muscle fibers to preserve muscles, tendons and ligaments. Through the small tube, specialized instruments and microscopes are used to remove a small piece of bone and soft tissue to take the pressure off the nerve.  This procedure involves very minimal blood loss, is done outpatient and is sutureless.

Hospital Stay

Outpatient

This is typically an outpatient procedure.

Surgery Type

Minimally Invasive

Incision is typically a half an inch long.

Blood Loss

Minimal

This procedure will cause minimal blood loss with limited tissue disruption.

Recovery Time

Hours to weeks

Patients usually leave an hour after the procedure. No heavy lifting, twisting or bending for 6 weeks after the procedure. Back to work a few days after surgery.

Surgery Time

Minutes

The procedure is usually completed in 30 minutes.

Not all patients and procedures are the same. The above is an example of what the typical patient can expect from some minimally invasive procedures.