Full Endoscopic Foraminoplasty

Endoscopic formaminoplasty is a spine procedure performed to relieve back pain occurring due to compression and pressure on the exiting nerve of the spinal cord. The procedure involves removal of a selected portion of the bone to widen the foramen and allow for easy passage of the nerve being compressed. It is considered as one of the least invasive spine procedures which uses microscopic surgical instruments and an endoscope to access the targeted area of the spine.

Indications of Endoscopic Foraminoplasty

Spinal nerve compression may be caused by a number of spine conditions. Endoscopic foraminoplasty is generally indicated for the following conditions:

• Degenerative disc diseases
• Spinal stenosis
• Foraminal stenosis
• Disc bulges
• Herniated disc
• Spondylolisthesis
• Bone spurs
• Radicular and Sciatica pain
• Vertebral body arthritis
• Facet arthritis
• Failed back surgery syndrome 

Procedure of Endoscopic Foraminoplasty

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in an operating room. A half inch incision is made through your back muscle in the affected disc region. Using X-ray fluoroscopy guidance, a needle, a guide wire and a dilator are inserted through the incision.

Then, the surgeon places a 7mm metal tube to gain access to the targeted disc region. Next, an endoscope with a small HD camera is passed through the tube for clear visualization, to remove any scar tissue, bone, or damaged portion of disc with microscopic surgical instruments. This helps to relieve the pain caused by impingement of the nerve. The incision is then closed with a single suture and bandage. The entire procedure may take about one hour on an average.

Recovery

Recovery depends on your body’s response to the surgery. Most patients are relieved from their symptoms of back pain immediately after the surgery. The patients are observed and monitored for one hour post-surgery and are thereby discharged to go home.

Patients may experience mild pain and discomfort in the area of incision, which is normal and subsides within a few days. It is important to follow the instructions given by your surgeon about any physical restrictions and follow-up appointments for a smooth recovery process.