PROCEDURES

Posterior cervical foraminotomy is the surgical removal of a herniated disc in the neck through a posterior approach. The surgery is designed to relieve pressure involving a spinal nerve and alleviate corresponding pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling.

The advantage of a posterior cervical foraminotomy is that it avoids a fusion which is typically done when an anterior cervical discectomy is performed to treat the same problem.

Posterior cervical foraminotomy is not the best approach for all cervical disc herniations. However, when patients have lateral dis herniation or foraminal disc herniations, a posterior cervical foraminotomy can be an excellent less invasive choice to relieve symptoms if surgery is required.

• Posterior refers to the approach of the surgery which is done through the back
 of the neck as opposed to the front.
• Cervical refers to the area of the spine for surgery which is the upper neck region.
• Foraminotomy refers to creating a small hole in the cervical lamina to unpinch the involved nerve root and to remove any associated disc herniation at the same level.

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