CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Foraminotomy
DECOMPRESSION SURGERY FOR TRAPPED NERVES
Our advanced surgical procedure helps to relieve nerve compression causing pain and numbness in the back and legs
What is a foraminotomy?
If you're experiencing trapped nerve pain, your consultant may recommend a foraminotomy.
This decompression surgery widens the gap between vertebrae to release pinched nerves and relieve pain.
It's a minimally invasive procedure and most patients are discharged the same day.
Need to know
The neuroforamen are passageways formed on both sides of the upper and lower vertebra. Over time, the neuro-foramina can reduce in size — this means there's less room for the spinal nerves. These trapped nerves can cause pain, stiffness, numbness and weakness.
The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic. A small incision is made to access the spine and special equipment is used to remove debris from the neuroforamen — bone spurs or thickened ligaments for example. When enough space has been created around the nerve root, absorbable sutures are used to close the layers of skin and muscle.
Your consultant will explain the procedure and answer any questions you might have. As general anaesthetic is used for this procedure, you may need to fast for several hours before the operation.
Your consultant will tell you how long you should avoid eating and drinking. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Foraminotomy is usually a routine procedure, and you'll be encouraged to move around after surgery. Most patients stay one night, some go home the same day.
Your consultant will advise. Patients undergoing a cervical foraminotomy may be given a cervical collar to stabilise the neck.
Our Foraminotomy locations
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
The Waterfront Business Park, Beaufort House Elstree Road, Elstree WD6 3BS Hertfordshire
Golders Green Outpatients
Roman House, 296 Golders Green Road Golders Green NW11 9PY London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road NW8 7JA London
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.