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.