Board-certified surgeon Dr. Scott Katzman is one of the most sought-after Endoscopic Foraminotomy spine surgeons in the country. He is renowned for his minimally invasive foraminotomy techniques which often result in faster recovery and less down time for you.
An endoscopic foraminotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that alleviates pressure on nerves as they exit the spinal canal by widening the openings in which they pass called foramina. Using an endoscopic camera, the surgeon can gently remove bone in the foramina to give the nerve a larger opening to pass through.
People who need an endoscopic foraminotomy are suffering from chronic neck or back pain and have exhausted all conservative, non-surgical treatments with little to no progress to show for it.
At ISSI, our spine experts recommend exhausting all conservative, non-surgical treatment options before turning to surgery. However, some situations may require surgery right away to alleviate pain. In addition to little or no success with non-surgical treatments, candidates for this procedure experience:
Those who are excessively overweight are not ideal candidates for this procedure as the excess weight results in additional strain on the spine during recovery, making healing difficult. A candidate for an endoscopic foraminotomy must also be willing to participate in physical therapy as part of the recovery.
An endoscopic foraminotomy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that only requires a one to three-inch incision and general anesthesia. It is also less traumatic than traditional spinal surgeries because it minimizes the damage to muscles and other nearby anatomy, making recovery time easier and faster. The entire procedure can take less than two hours, depending on the severity of the nerve compression.
An endoscopic foraminotomy can be used to treat a range of conditions, such as:
If you think you are experiencing pain caused by nerve compression in your spine, find out what treatment options are right for you below with our treatment finder tool.
Compared to other spinal surgeries, endoscopic foraminotomy uses smaller incisions for faster recovery times. Following the procedure, the patient will be monitored as they recover, usually an hour or two, and then they will be sent home.
A follow-up visit will be scheduled, usually within the first few days following the procedure, to assess and evaluate the success of the surgery. In most cases, patients are encouraged to walk around in the afternoon or evening following the procedure to help ensure a speedy recovery and avoid unwanted stiffness.
Most people can manage pain in the first few days after surgery with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or pain medication prescribed by their doctor.
Many patients are able to return to non-physical work and light activity within a week, though some patients may need a longer recovery period. To make recovery easier, your team at ISSI provides you with instructions on how to care for your surgical incision and what activities to limit while you heal after endoscopic foraminotomy surgery.
Q: How long does it take for nerves to heal after an endoscopic foraminotomy?
A: While most patients feel pain relief soon after surgery, it can take up to a year for nerves to completely recover after a foraminotomy.
Q: Are there any risks with endoscopic foraminotomy surgery?
A: Like any surgical procedure, Endoscopic Foraminotomy poses certain risks, including infection, new disc dislocation, breakage, or loosening, stiffness or narrowing of the spine, and blood clots in the legs.
Q: What is the success rate of endoscopic foraminotomy?
A: It is a safe and effective outpatient surgery that our surgeons have performed successfully time and time again; the endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy boasts up to an 83 percent success rate for relieving long-term back pain.
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