How is a Foramintomy performed?
This surgery is performed to take pressure off the nerves in your spinal column. The procedure can be done anywhere in the spine. (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) Generally, this is considered a minimally invasive procedure due to the incision being small. After the incision is made the surgeon will move ligaments and muscles to get to the affected area that is causing your pain. This area identified is considered blockage. Using a surgical tool, the surgeon will shave off the bone spur, or damaged disc that is causing pressure on your nerves.
After the Foraminotomy
This procedure is an outpatient procedure that is done by our Neurosurgeons in our surgery center located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Therefore, you will go home the same day.
There will be some discharge instructions from your nurse.
- Post-Operative Narcotic medications may be prescribed, but only for a week or two
- Sore Throat is normal, there may be some difficulty eating for the first week or two (if done in cervical)
Restrictions
- Aspirin, Advil, Ibuprofen (inflammatory drugs) should be avoided due to the ability for it to cause bleeding and interference with the healing process
- Avoid sitting down for long periods of time
- Do not lift heavy objects
- Try to avoid moving your head forward or backwards
Recovery Process
The nurse will then schedule a post operative appointment with your surgeon usually 4-6 weeks after your surgery. This is to check on the progress of your healing. The greatest risk of a Foraminotomy surgery is if the nerves or spinal cord is damaged, but these cases are extremely rare. Recovery time for this this procedure generally 6 – 12 weeks. Pain after your surgery is dramatically improved within 24 hours of having the surgery.
Sore Throat
For the patients that have trouble swallowing their food due to the sore throat after the procedure
- Stock up foods that are easy to swallow such as yogurt, soup, and apple sauce
- Blend Meals – this is important because you will need to still maintain proper nutrition. Blending meat and vegetables together is a good way to maintain nutrition
- Protein Shakes – Blending meals may sometimes not go down well, it is good to mix it up with some protein shakes that taste better than blended foods. This should be done in-conjunction with blending meals.
