Foraminotomy is surgery that widens the opening in your back where nerve roots leave your spinal canal. You may have a narrowing of the nerve opening (foraminal stenosis).

Foraminotomy takes pressure off of the nerve coming out of your spinal column. This reduces any pain you were having. Foraminotomy can be performed on any level of the spine.

You will be asleep and feel no pain (general anesthesia).

During surgery:

• You lie face down or sit up on the operating table. A cut (incision) is made in the middle of the back of your spine. The length of the incision depends on how much of your spinal column will be operated on.
• Skin, muscles, and ligaments are moved to the side. Your surgeon may use a surgical microscope to see inside your back.
• Some bone is cut or shaved away to open the nerve root opening (foramen). Any disk fragments are removed.
• Other bone may also be removed at the back of the vertebrae to make more room (laminotomy or laminectomy).
• The surgeon may do a spinal fusion to make sure your spinal column is stable after surgery.

The muscles and other tissues are put back in place. The skin is sewn together