POSTERIOR CERVICAL SURGERY
Occasionally cervical disc herniation can be address posteriorly. Cervical foraminotomy is the specific name for the procedure performed from the back to alleviate pressure on nerves which are compressed due to a one sided disc herniation. A small hole is made on one side of thelamina, the bone in the back, and any bone or soft tissue that is compressing the nerve is removed. The bone that is removed surgically is not important for the structural support of the spine so removing this bone does not lead to instability or dysfunction.
When symptoms of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) perist or worsen despite nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery.The goal of surgery is to relieve symptoms by "decompressing," or relieving pressure on, the spinal cord. This involves removing the pieces of bone or soft tissue (such as a herniated disk) that may be taking up space in the spinal canal. This relieves pressure by creating more space for the spinal cord.