Endoscopic cervical Foraminotomy

Pre - Post Surgery

Endoscopic cervical foraminotomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to relieve nerve compression across the Exit Slip Road in the cervical spine (neck) caused by narrowing of the foramina (the small openings through which spinal nerves exit the spinal canal). This condition can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms, or hands.

The goal of the procedure is to remove bone spurs, disc material, or thickened ligaments that are compressing the spinal nerves as they exit the foramina. This is often done when conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, medications, or injections, haven’t provided enough relief.

Here’s how we do it:

  1. Small Incision: Under General anaesthesia a small 5 mm Xray guided incision is made in the back of the neck. Dilator and working sleeve is passed with minimal tissue disruption.
  2. Endoscope Insertion: An endoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera) through the incision. The 4K camera allows the surgeon to view the area on a HD monitor for better clarity during procedure.
  3. Foramen Widening: Specialised tools are used to remove the offending material such as bone spurs, herniated disc fragments, or thickened ligaments that’s causing the nerve compression. The surgeon carefully clears the foramen to provide more space for the nerve to pass through without pressure.
  4. Recovery: Recovery from endoscopic cervical foraminotomy is typically quicker than traditional open surgery. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, there’s less muscle and tissue disruption, leading to less pain and a faster return to daily activities.

Benefits:

  • Smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, and reduced post-operative pain compared to traditional open surgery.
  • Faster recovery time and a shorter hospital stay.
  • Decreased risk of complications like infection and scarring.

Risks:

  • As with any surgery, there’s a risk of infection, bleeding, nerve injury, or complications related to anaesthesia.
  • The condition may recur if the foramen narrows again over time, although this is relatively rare with modern techniques.

This procedure is often used for patients who have arm pain due to pinched nerve in the neck caused by degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, or herniated discs and who have not responded well to non-surgical treatments.

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Note: Medical conditions should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. This content is for informational purposes only.