Common Conditions	All Conditions
Degenerative Disc Disease Facet Arthritis Failed Back Surgery Herniated Disc Spinal Stenosis Sprains and Strains Spondylolisthesis	Black Disc Bone Spurs Bulging Disc Central Spinal Stenosis Curvature of the Spine Degenerative Disc Disease Desiccated Disc Facet Arthritis Failed Back Surgery Flat Back Foraminal Stenosis Herniated Disc Inflamed Disc Joint Out of Place Lateral Recess Stenosis Myelopathy Neurogenic Claudication Pinched Nerve Pulled Muscle Radiculopathy Ruptured Disc Sciatica Segmental Dysfunction Shifted Spine Slipped Disc Slipped Vertebrae Spinal Instability Spinal Stenosis Spondylolisthesis Spondylosis Sprains and Strains Stiff Back Thrown Back Trigger Point

Non Surgical	Pain Management	Surgical
Acupuncture Aerobic Conditioning & Training Bracing Core Exercise Program Gyrotonic Heat Ice Massage and Massotherapy OTC Meds Physical Therapy Power Plate Rest Rx Meds Spinal Manipulation Stretching Traction Water Exercises	Caudal-Epidural Epidural Prolo/Sclero Facet Injection Radio Frequency Nerve Ablation Selective Nerve Block Transforaminal Epidural Trigger Point Injection	Artificial Disc Replacement Artificial Facet Replacement IDET Implantable Morphine Pump Indirect Spinal Distraction Decompression Laminaplasty Laminectomy Laminotomy Laser Spine Surgery Major Spine Reconstruction MED Microdecompression Laminaplasty Microdiscectomy Nucleus Replacement Percutaneous Laser Discectomy Percutaneous Nucleoplasty Coblation Percutaneous Spinal Fusion Spinal Column Stimulation Spinal Fusion no Instrumentation Spinal Fusion with Instrumentation Transforaminal Micro Decompression Transforaminal Micro Discectomy

Transforaminal Micro Decompression

Endoscopic Decompression Foraminotomy With or Without Laser

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is treated with a transforaminal micro decompression?
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The transforaminal microscopic or endoscopic foraminotomy is used to treat a condition called foraminal stenosis. The goal of the surgery is to create a larger bony foraminal canal to take the pressure off of the exiting nerve.

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Jo Ann Medalie
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The stenosis is usually caused by a combination of bone spurs, bulging disc material, collapse of the disc space, and thickening of some ligament structures. In short, it is a “roto-rooter” type of procedure. The operation can be safely performed using either a microscope or endoscope. The key is to be able to accurately visualize the exiting nerve to avoid damage to this critical structure.

A variety of instruments are used including the holmium laser at some centers. However, it is important to know that the laser will not cut bone at low power levels. Higher power settings can cause a flash fire that is extremely dangerous to the surrounding tissue! Therefore, other instruments are used such as micro drills, small punch cutters, and micro dissection tools.

Transforaminal Microdecompression can treat the following conditions:

Spinal Stenosis

Common Conditions

All Conditions

Non Surgical

Pain Management

Surgical

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Transforaminal Micro Decompression

Frequently Asked Questions