Foraminotomy

All surgical procedures carry some risk. The risks from a foraminotomy include the risks inherent to every operation (eg, a small risk of infection, bleeding). In addition to this there is a small risk of injury to the nerve or spinal cord and this should be discussed specifically with the surgeon.

The length of the patient's hospital stay depends on the extent of the surgery. Some patients may be discharged home the same day as surgery. Most patients require a day or two of hospital care.
Pain at the operative site is normal and should be expected. This pain resolves over time and can be controlled with oral pain medication. Many patients notice an immediate improvement in some or all of their pre-surgery symptoms. For some patients, symptoms diminish gradually.
Patients with a positive outlook and reasonable expectations who comply with their spine surgeon's recommendations do well. Most patients find they are able to return to regular activities within several weeks.