Foraminotomy in India: Relieve Back Pain with Expert Spine Specialists

Foraminotomy in India

A foraminotomy is a spine surgery that takes pressure off compressed nerves by expanding the openings (called foramina) where the nerve roots leave the spinal canal.

What is Foraminotomy?

• Definition: A surgery to expand the intervertebral foramina (space between vertebrae).
• Indication: To decompress the nerve roots due to constriction (foraminal stenosis).
• Usually performed in: Cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) spine.

Conditions Treated

• Foraminal stenosis (narrowing of foramina).
• Slipped discs on the nerve roots.
• Arthritic bone spurs (osteophytes).
• Thickened ligaments.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Sciatica or radiculopathy (pain in the arm/leg down the nerve).

Procedure

• Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia is usual.
• Technique: tiny incision over affected vertebra.

Technique:

• Surgeon excises bone, tissue or disc material, which obstructs the foramen.
• Nerve root is decompressed.
• May be used with laminotomy, discectomy, or spinal fusion when there is instability.
• Minimally Invasive Alternative: Smaller incisions are made and endoscopic instruments are used.

Benefits

• Alleviates nerve pain, numbness, tingling or weakness.
• Enhances life and movement.
• May stop additional nerve destruction.

Best foraminotomy surgeons in India

Dr. Hitesh Garg

Dr Hitesh Garg is the head of Ortho-Spine surgery unit at Artemis hospital, Gurgaon, India. He has a rich experience of more than 15 years in spine surgery. He has more than 5000 spine surgeries to his credit including more than 2500 spinal fusions (TLIF, ACDF etc), 1000 deformity correction procedures (Scoliosis and kyphosis), 300 lumbar and cervical artificial disc replacements, 500 fracture treatments and 500 other complex surgeries like spinal tumour, congenital defects and spino-pelvic fixations.

Dr. Sanjay Sarup

Dr. Sarup has 24 years of experience in the field of orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Sarup super-specialises in the field of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Spine surgery. He has a special interest in Congenital Hip Dislocations, Club foot Deformity and Scoliosis correction.

Dr. Sudhir Dubey

Dr. Sudhir Dubey is a leading Neuro doctor in Gurgaon and is presently serving as the Director of the Institute of Neurosciences at Medanta. Dr. Dubey has performed over 10,000 neurosurgical operations, solidifying his reputation as one of the foremost experts in the field.

His expertise extends across a wide range of neurosurgical procedures, with a particular focus on pituitary surgery and minimally invasive techniques for brain, skull base, and spine surgeries.

Dr. Rana Patir

Dr. Rana Patir is one of the most experienced and best Neurosurgeon doctor in India. He is also an immensely accomplished spine surgeon. He holds an extensive experience of 32+ years as a neurosurgeon and has performed more than 10,000 neurosurgical procedures till date. Dr. Patir is an expert in all kinds of neuro and spine surgeries with a specialization in minimally invasive brain and spine surgery, Epilepsy surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, and neurovascular surgery. His expertise also lies in several other brain and spine procedures such as Stereotactic surgeries, deep brain stimulation surgery, Brain Aneurysms, cervical and lumbar disc replacement surgery, and craniovertebral junction surgery.

Dr. Bipin Walia

Dr. Bipin Walia is a senior neurosurgeon and Director & Head of Neurosurgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi. With a medical career spanning over 38 years and having done over 7,000 spine surgeries, he is one of India's most renowned spine and brain surgeons. His areas of special interest are Complex spine surgeries, Brain tumor surgeries, minimally invasive and image-guided neurosurgery, and Disc replacement and motion preservation.

Factors Affecting Foraminotomy surgery cost in India

Some of the factors that affect the cost of foraminotomy surgery in India:

Types of Procedure/Complexity

• The procedures available can vary greatly in cost depending on procedure choice: standard or endoscopic (minimally invasive), number of levels involved in the procedure, and complexity of surgery. 

Pre-Op evaluation and Diagnostic Tests

• Dependent imaging (MRI, CT scan, X-rays, blood tests, and others) is costly.

Hospital Location & Type

• Big cities and the most advanced hospitals are more expensive. 

Experience and reputation of the surgeon

• Top surgeons and well-established institutions have high prices because they are experienced and have a high rate of success. 

Category of Hospitalization and Room

• The cost of ICU or private deluxe rooms is much more expensive than shared rooms. 

Implants & Special Tools

• The cost is increased by the use of implants (e.g. screws, plates) or high end technologies (e.g. navigation system, robotics). The foreign-made implants are more expensive. 

Anaesthesia & Medications

• The total expenses include anaesthesia (type and duration) and surgical drugs- including pre and post-operative care. 

Post-Operative Care

• Additional costs include follow-up visits, physiotherapy and rehab and medications. 

Health/Comorbidities Patient

• Patients with conditions such as diabetes or hypertension may need additional care, prolonged hospitalization, or additional tests.

Minimally invasive foraminotomy in India

An advanced surgical technique known as a minimally invasive foraminotomy (MIS foraminotomy) is intended to alleviate pressure on the compressed spinal nerves by expanding the neural foramina with special small cuts and endoscopy or tubular surgery. It is a new version of traditional open spine surgery.

What is Minimally Invasive Foraminotomy?

• Definition A nerve decompression surgery is an operation that utilizes a small opening along with tubular retractors, microscopes or endoscopes to approach and dilate the foramen.
• Aim: To alleviate nerve root compression when spurs have grown on the bone, the herniated disc, or thickened ligaments, without causing too much disturbance to the tissue.

How the Procedure is Done?

• Anaesthesia: General (local + sedation in endoscopic cases).
• Incision: Small cut (often <2 cm).

Access:

• The endoscope is a narrow channel that is created using a tubular retractor.
• This avoids the cutting of a considerable amount of muscle and soft tissues.

Decompression:

• Surgeon removes or shaves off some part of the bone, ligament, or fragment of disc that is pushing against the nerve root.
• There is an enlarged neural foramen.
• Closure: Minor incision fixed with very few stitches or surgical adhesive.

Advantages over Open Foraminotomy

• Smaller incision and scar.
• Much of the muscle and tissue damage is less.
• Lower blood loss.
• Reduced infection risk.
• Reduced length of stay (usually less than 1 night in hospital).
• Reduced time to recuperation and restoration to action.
• Reduced post-op pain and demand of pain medications.

Endoscopic foraminotomy in India

The least invasive type of foraminotomy surgery is an endoscopic foraminotomy, in which an endoscope (slim tube containing a camera and light) is used to access the spinal foramen and release nerve compression with the greatest accuracy and minimum tissue damage.

What is Endoscopic Foraminotomy?

• Definition: A procedure involving the insertion by the surgeon of an endoscope via a small opening (typically less than 1 cm) to view and enlarge the foramen (nerve passageway) and to extract bone spurs, disc fragments, or thickened tissue that presses against the nerve.
• Technique: Typically this is conducted as an outpatient intervention (same-day discharge).
• Spinal Levels: It can be performed in cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (lower back) levels.

Procedure Steps

• Anaesthesia: Local anaesthetic with sedation (in most cases) or general anaesthetic.
• Incision: Small cut on the skin (0.51 cm).

Endoscope Insertion:

• Continuous imaging endoscope by incision.
• Instruments were moved in working channels.

Decompression:

• Fragments of bone, disc, or ligament which cause compression are removed.
• Foramen is widened.
• Closure: small incision sealed with 1-2 stitches or glue.

Advantages

• Least invasive (smaller than minimally invasive tubular technique).
• May be performed with local anaesthesia which minimizes the risks of patients in older age or high-risk.
• Less blood loss, scarring and muscle damage.
• Shortest length of stay in hospital (discharge on same day).
• Quick rebound (back to desk jobs within 8 hours of work).
• Reduced chances of spinal instability as opposed to open surgery.

Factors Affecting Affordable foraminotomy surgery India

Factors affecting affordable foraminotomy surgery costs in India, especially with an eye for keeping expenses manageable:

• Type & Complexity of Procedure
• Hospital Location & Tier
• Hospital Type & Infrastructure
• Surgeon’s Experience
• Diagnostic & Pre-Op.Tests
• Hospital Stay & Room Type
• Use of Technology & Implants
• Post-Operative Care
• Patient Health & Complexity

Foraminotomy treatment in India with GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24 hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Foraminotomy treatment.
• Expert spine surgeon with a strong track record of success
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food