Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy

What Is Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy?

Our endoscopic foraminotomy for the cervical spine is a same-day minimally invasive surgery that is used to relive pain caused by cervical spine degenerative diseases that involve spinal nerve compression.

Advantages of endoscopic cervical foraminotomy surgery include the following:

Minimally invasive

Small incision

Short recovery

Same-day surgery with no hospitalization (outpatient procedure)

High success rates

Minimal to no blood loss

Preservation of spinal mobility

Minimal scar tissue formation

What Conditions Can Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy Surgery Treat?

Cervical spine degenerative disease with spinal nerve compression

Failed previous neck surgery

Cervical spinal nerves pinched by disc herniations and bone spurs

When Is Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy Recommended?

Persistent neck, shoulder, and arm pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness in upper extremities

Positive signs of peripheral nerve compression affecting the upper extremities

Symptoms unresponsive to conservative treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and spinal steroid injections for 8-12 weeks

Nerve diagnostic test positive for radiculopathy or nerve irritation

Selective nerve root blocks showing positive indication for pain relief

CT scans, discograms, and MRI showing cervical spinal nerve compression

How Is Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy Surgery Done?

During endoscopic cervical foraminotomy, the patient is put under with general anesthesia. A small metal tube of about4 mmin diameter is inserted into the cervical spine nerve canal through the disc under x-ray guidance. This tube serves as the passage for the surgical tools so that the muscles do not have to be torn or cut open, as what happens with open spine surgery. Then, a small piece of enlarged bone (ulcinate) is removed with a micro instrument to open the nerve canal. Disc herniation, bone spurs and scars in the spinal nerve canal are now removed for satisfactory nerve decompression. The degenerative disc may be treated with a laser, which vaporizes disc material, kills pain nerves inside the disc, and hardens the disc to prevent leakage of disc material to the surrounding nerves. Finally, the tube is removed and the incision is closed with a stitch or two.

 

Upon completion, the patient is encouraged to walk around and is free to leave the surgical center, with a companion, the same day. After a follow-up visit with the surgeon the next day, the patient can go home for a quick recovery.

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