The surgeon makes an incision to access the affected vertebra. Using specialized instruments, they carefully remove bone spurs, part of the facet joint, or other soft tissue that is compressing the nerve. This creates more space for the nerve root, relieving the pain and numbness. The foraminotomy is performed in the neck (cervical spine) for arm symptoms or the back (lumbar spine) for leg symptoms.
Foraminotomy
A foraminotomy is a surgical procedure to enlarge the opening in the spine where a nerve root exits the spinal canal. This opening is called the neuroforamen. When this space narrows, it places pressure on the nerve, causing pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. In this procedure, the side opening of the spine (foramen-) is enlarged (-otomy) to relieve the compression.