Cervical Foraminotomy
What is a cervical foraminotomy?
A cervical foraminotomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed to relieve pressure on the nerves in the neck. The spinal nerves exit the spinal cord through small openings called foramina, and sometimes these openings can become narrowed due to herniated discs, bone spurs, or arthritis. This narrowing can cause neck pain, arm pain, numbness, or weakness. During the procedure, Dr. B removes small amounts of bone, disc, or tissue that are compressing the nerve, widening the foramen and giving the nerve more space. Unlike a fusion or disc replacement, a cervical foraminotomy preserves the motion of the spine and does not involve joining vertebrae together. The goal of the surgery is to relieve nerve compression, reduce pain and neurological symptoms, and maintain normal neck movement.
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You may be a candidate for a cervical foraminotomy if you have neck or arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness caused by a nerve being pinched as it exits the spine. This procedure is usually considered when:
Non-surgical treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or injections have not provided enough relief.
Imaging studies (like MRI or CT scans) show a narrowed nerve opening (foramen) due to a herniated disc, bone spur, or arthritis.
You have symptoms that are mostly on one side, such as arm pain or numbness corresponding to a specific nerve.
You want to relieve nerve pressure while keeping the motion of your neck intact.
Patients with severe spinal instability, extensive disc or bone damage, or multiple levels of disease may not be good candidates for this procedure.
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A cervical foraminotomy is a minimally invasive technique performed to relieve pressure on a nerve in the neck. The procedure is done through a small, tubular retractor that creates a narrow pathway to the affected area, which allows the surgeon to work without making a large incision or cutting major muscles. Using specialized instruments and often a microscope or endoscope, the surgeon carefully removes small amounts of bone, disc, or tissue that are compressing the nerve in the foramen (the opening where the nerve exits the spine). By widening this space, the nerve is relieved from pressure. Because the approach is minimally invasive, normal neck muscles and surrounding tissues are preserved, which often results in less pain, faster recovery, and maintenance of neck motion compared to traditional open surgery.
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The advantages of a cervical foraminotomy include relief of nerve compression, which can reduce neck and arm pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Because it is a minimally invasive procedure, it preserves the normal motion of the spine and avoids fusing vertebrae together. Patients often experience less muscle damage, less postoperative pain, and a quicker recovery compared to traditional open surgery. Additionally, by targeting only the area that is pressing on the nerve, the procedure can effectively relieve symptoms while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissues.
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Please refer to our Patient Education Booklet for detailed information.
Disclaimer: All materials presented on this website are the opinions of Dr. Patawut “Pat” Bovonratwet, or Dr. B, and any guest writers, and should not be construed as medical advice. Each patient’s specific condition is different, and a comprehensive medical assessment requires a full medical history, physical exam, and review of diagnostic imaging. If you would like to seek the opinion of Dr. B for your specific case, we recommend contacting our office to make an appointment.