Foraminotomy

[margeinalbu]

Hi everyone,

I had a foraminotomy a little over a week ago, and am wondering if any of you have had the same procedure.

My left leg pain is greatly diminished, although I still have some twinges now and then. I am thinking that the operation was a success. There were no complications per my neurosurgeon, Dr. Metzger, and time will tell if the leg pain remains significantly improved. My first follow up appointment is a week from today, on 2/24/05.

Thanks!

[Harrison]

Marge, good for you! I am glad it went well. Was that done with a "mini-open?" Was this a lumbar procedure?

[margeinalbu]

Harrison,

Thanks for replying. The foraminotomy was lumbar, at L5-S1. I don't know what you mean by "mini open" - Haven't heard that term.

Marge

[cavalier]

YEs Marge I had one along with at the same time a disctomey & lamatomey - the idea I would think is to give more room in the foramen especially if stenosis was involved. In my case I became unstable but NOT from the fora. but the disc - it reherinated less than a month out. My back pain was never resolved by this operation however it did help my legs for abotu 3 months but the disc was just shot & pressing into the foramen again & so my leg problems returned only worse. But again my case had more to do with this disc acting up - thus 19 months later I had ADR - & the doc found my disc was in chunks & pieces inside so it was def. needed -
Most fora's as I call them shorter go well -
& last for a long time. I dont regret the operation & actually it would have been needed to be done if not then when i did the ADR so ... I still see the doc who did my 1st procedure he follows me now here in the states after my ADR was done by Dr. B. overseas -
all the best to you in your recovery - Jill