What Is Posterior Cervical Keyhole Foraminotomy
Posterior cervical foraminotomy relieves spinal nerve root compression by creating more room for the nerve root to pass through the foramen. When disc material compresses the nerve root on one side (unilateral compression), the cervical foraminotomy can be used to remove the portion of the offending disk. When a bone spur narrows the foramen and compresses the nerve root, a posterior cervical foraminotomy can be used to chisel away the spur to widen the passageway. Some refer to this procedure as minimally invasive, in that the incision is relatively small and no fusion of the spine is required.The procedure is performed in the back of the neck. The surgeon will make a small 1 to 2-inch skin incision and will dissect away soft tissue on the side of the compression and carefully remove a small amount of bone which serves as the outer wall of the foramen. Once the foramen is opened, the nerve root can be seen. In cases of compression due to disc material, the nerve root is gently lifted and the disc material is removed.
About Nerve Compression
What Is A foraminotomy– A foraminotomy is a decompression surgery that is performed to enlarge the passageway where a spinal nerve root exits the spinal canal. The term foraminotomy is derived from the medical term for a hollow passageway—foramen. The latter half of the term foraminotomy—otomy—means to open.
During a foraminotomy, the spine surgeon removes bone or tissue that obstructs the passageway and compresses (pinches) the spinal nerve root, which can cause inflammation and pain. The nerve (neuro) passageways are called neuroforamen.
Where Is The Neuroforamen –The neuroforamen are passageways that are naturally formed on either side (left, right) between an upper and lower vertebra. In between each upper and lower vertebra is an intervertebral disc. The height of the disc separates the two vertebrae and creates the size of the neuroforamen. Below is an illustration of the neuroforamen amid the nerve root exiting the spinal cord.
How Nerve Compression Happens –When the size of a neuroforamen is reduced, there is less room for the spinal nerve, which may cause nerve compression. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling sensations, and/or weakness.
Since spinal nerves branch outward to form the peripheral nervous system, these symptoms may radiate into other parts of the body. For example, cervical nerve root compression can cause symptoms in the shoulders, arms, and hands. Lumbar symptoms may radiate into the low back, buttocks, legs, and feet.
Facts About Postierior Cervical Foraminotomy Procedure:
Posterior cervical foraminotomy relieves spinal nerve root compression by creating more room for the nerve root to pass through the foramen. When disc material compresses the nerve root on one side (unilateral compression), the cervical foraminotomy can be used to remove the portion of the offending disk. When a bone spur narrows the foramen and compresses the nerve root, a posterior cervical foraminotomy can be used to chisel away the spur to widen the passageway. Some refer to this procedure as minimally invasive, in that the incision is relatively small and no fusion of the spine is required.
The procedure is performed in the back of the neck, which means that you will be lying face down on the operating table. You will be under general anesthesia so that you will feel nothing during the procedure. The spinal surgeon will make a small 1 to 2 inch skin incision and with the help of magnification, he/she will dissect away soft tissue on the side of the compression. Precision instruments are used to carefully remove a small amount of bone which serves as the outer wall of the foramen. Once the foramen is opened, the nerve root can be seen. In cases of compression due to disc material, the nerve root is gently lifted and the disc material is removed. The wound is then closed, and the surgeon may provide you with a soft collar. A variation of this technique is a truly minimally invasive procedure where the surgeon may use an even smaller skin incision and use a tubular retractor to access your spine.