Foraminotomy Surgery in India - Surgery Cost & Recovery Time

Foraminotomy is a surgical procedure that helps to open the foramen (the opening of the spine) to treat conditions like nerve compression, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, etc. Foraminotomy is a joint, spinal surgery, especially in older people globally. Also, people worldwide, including Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, visit India for quality and cost-effective foraminotomy.

Also, when you visit India for your foraminotomy procedure, you can access some of the most renowned orthopaedic surgeons in the world for your treatment. Plus, the medical infrastructure here is quite advanced, with cutting-edge equipment, high-tech surgery rooms and trained staff to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and quality. Cost is also a significant factor in India as you can get the cheapest and most effective foraminotomy, which is relatively lower than in many leading first-world countries. Today, we will discuss everything you must know about foraminotomy surgery in India, including the reason for performing it, the conditions it treats, the different types of procedures, the cost, and more.

Reasons to Perform Foraminotomy Surgery

Foraminotomy helps to treat conditions associated with spinal stenosis, especially foraminal stenosis. However, foraminotomy surgery is an invasive method and is often preserved for only severe cases where alternative treatments fail to resolve the condition. So, if you are planning to get a foraminotomy surgery, it would be wise to know the common reasons to perform foraminotomy-

• The stenosis causes severe pain
• The numbness and tingling sensation extended to the legs and arms.
• Causing difficulty in walking, moving and holding objects.
• When the foraminal stenosis is causing incontinence.
• Also, if your spinal stenosis is causing muscle weakness, you may be suggested to do a foraminotomy procedure. 

If your spinal stenosis matches with any of the symptoms mentioned above, you must consult with the best surgeon for your spinal foraminotomy.

Conditions Foraminotomy Surgery Treats

Foraminotomy surgery primarily aims to treat foraminal stenosis, which causes spinal cord compression, by removing the blockage inside the foramen or the place where the spinal cord or nerve root of the spine is located. As a result, a foraminotomy can be used to treat a wide range of spinal conditions associated with foramen blockage. Below, we will discuss some common conditions foraminotomy usually treats –

• Enlarged ligament of the nearby region.
• Degeneration of the spinal disc or intervertebral disc causes them to budge and create blockage for the spinal cord and nerve root.
• Degenerative diseases of the spine, such as DDD, spinal stenosis, spondylosis, etc., cause bony spurs that lead to spinal cord compression or nerve pinch.
• Spondylolisthesis or the slippage of the vertebra onto the other causes foramen blockage.
• Tumours and cysts.
• Dwarfism, like congenital spinal deformity.
• Skeletal disease, for example, Paget disease.

Remember that nerve compression or spinal cord and nerve can occur anywhere in the spine. However, you must devote some time to non-surgical alternatives if the pain and discomfort are manageable. But if the other options don't work and the condition affects your regular life, you must consult your healthcare expert. 

Different types of Foraminotomy Surgery

As we have already mentioned, foraminotomy is a surgical procedure that aims to treat conditions associated with spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis. Foraminotomy can be divided into different types depending on the location of the surgery. Below, we will discuss the types briefly for your understanding-

■ Thoracic foraminotomy

This is the most common type of foraminotomy procedure. In thoracic foraminotomy surgery, stenosis is treated on the upper or middle part of the spine.

■ Cervical foraminotomy

As the name suggests, the cervical foraminotomy procedure treats the stenosis of the top of the spine or neck. It is also a commonly performed foraminotomy type.

■ Sacral foraminotomy

The sacral foraminotomy procedure helps to treat the spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis of the pelvis or far lower spine.

■ Lumbar foraminotomy

Lumbar foraminotomy is also a type of foraminotomy procedure that focuses on only treating the spinal stenosis of the lower part of the spine or lower back.

■ Coccygeal foraminotomy

Lastly, coccygeal foraminotomy is a type of foraminotomy that helps treat foraminal or spinal stenosis of the tailbone or nearby regions.

Top Surgeons for Foraminotomy Surgery in India

1. Dr. Manoj Miglani

2. Dr Hitesh Garg

3. Dr. Ramandeep Singh Dang

4. Dr. Sachin Kandhari

Foraminotomy Surgery Procedure Details

The primary aim of the foraminotomy procedure is to treat the spinal stenosis causing compression on the spinal cord or nerve root. Foraminotomy surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is almost the same in every type, but the location differs depending on the type. However, consulting with your surgeon and learning about the surgical procedure you will get is a must. Below, we will discuss the basic details of the Foraminotomy procedure-

• The surgical procedure will begin with the anaesthesiologist will apply general anaesthesia to make you fall asleep during the procedure. It is because when you fall asleep, you will not feel the pain of the incision, and the operation works.
• Then you will instruct to lie on your stomach. Once the anaesthesia begins to work, your access surgeon will make the incision on the skin of the affected area (the size of the incision depends on the procedure type. For example, in traditional methods, the incisions are relatively more extensive than the minimally invasive method) to operate.
• During the procedure, a nurse will closely monitor your heart rate, blood pressure and other vital signs.
• Then, the surgeon will use an x-ray or endoscope for a guided procedure. The guiding tool will vary depending on whether the foraminotomy procedure is open or minimally invasive.
• After the incision is made successfully, the surgeon will move your back muscles on both sides to access the spine using special tools.
• Then, they will use a small piece of equipment to remove the blockage of the spine foramen, which puts pressure on the spinal cord.
• In some cases, your surgeon makes club foraminotomy with other procedures like laminoplasty, Laminectomy, fusion, etc., depending on the specific needs and requirements.
• In the end, the team will move your back into their original place and then close the incision with stitches or surgical glue, depending on the wound size.

Foraminotomy Surgery Recovery Time

Foraminotomy surgery recovery time can vary from one patient to another. The initial recovery time is 4-6 weeks. However, complete healing can take up to 1 year. One can resume light activities after 3-4 weeks. One can also return to desk work after 4-6 works of the surgery. You should consult with your surgeon for a more personalised recovery plan. Your surgeon will also tell you when you resume work after the surgery.

Foraminotomy Surgery Insurance Coverage

Health insurance policies in India usually cover minimally invasive spine surgeries. However, a few insurance companies can choose not to cover the procedure. It depends on the type of insurance and its terms and conditions. Also, a healthcare professional should declare the procedure medically necessary to get the coverage. The coverage can also vary from one policy to another. Some policies can cover only the surgery charges, while others can cover related expenses, too. Consult with your healthcare provider and insurance provider to know if your health insurance policy can cover your foraminotomy surgery and how much coverage it can offer.

Foraminotomy Surgery FAQs