Yes. I had it in neck area and no fusion. I came out of it with mild nerve damage from the fact they had to slightly shift some nerves aside in order to do the foraminotomy.

In 2007, I had “minimally invasive microneuro” surgery at Allegheny Hosp by Dr Hae Dong Jo, neuro surgeon now retired but I’ve heard he trained his son who is also a neuro surgeon, to do this type of surgery on the neck nerves. (I am now 73). Be sure your blood clots well if u decide to have this surgery. Mine did not because I ate Salmon frequently in late 2006 and early 2007. It has omega 3 oil which slows clotting time. Be sure you get off of any omega 3 fish oil and baby aspirin long before surgery. Quercetin supplement also slows clotting time.
He operated at my left C 4/5 and 5/6 to remove bone spurs that were impinging sl on the nerves coming out of the spine in those two spaces. Plus he had to scrape out a stenosis area. My excessive bleeding made it very hard for him to see, even though the assistant suctioned constantly. I’m not sure how the nerve damage happened. It was probably bc my surgery took four hours instead of two bc of the bleeding. Nerves should not be touched or stretched if at all possible. I could not move my left arm for a few days afterward but a Physical Therapist began to wk with it and within 6 wks I had full use of it. It did ache, burn and sting a lot and two fingers of left hand are to this day about 40% numb but it doesn’t present any problems. I did have a nerve conduction study done 9 mos later on my left arm by a neurologist in my hometown which confirmed that I had mild nerve damage. I was developing Fibromyalgia during that yr but didn’t realize it. Four years later (2011) I started taking 25 mgs twice a day of Lyrica for two yrs then dr increased me to 50 mgs twice a day for four years (because pain would break through). Then I had to increase to 75 mgs twice a day for about three yrs. Now I’m on 75 mgs three times a day plus medical cannabis and one Tylenol tablet at bedtime. I’ve stayed at this dosage. Lyrica only helps nerve pain. I couldn’t make it without Lyrica reliving my nerve pain. Stay off of sugar, vinegar, msg, caffiene, hot pepper, chocolate, citric acid and high and medium histamine foods such as strawberries, avocado, raspberries and bananas. All these foods really increase pain badly. Pain grows each yr when it’s not kept under control. Don’t take any opioids. Live in a state where you can get on medical cannabis. Chronic pain causes elevated cortisol which interferes with sleep alot, runs down the adrenal glands which at same time causes very low BP. And constant cortisol ages us fast.
Cold weather really makes Fibro ppl hurt so much worse do I go to west coast of Fl for the winter mos. I know I’ve given

No sure if I spelled that correctly. But I am looking for anyone who had foraminal stenosis in the lumbar region and how you dealt with it. I have heard of a non surgical procedure called Discseel, however it seems like it's mostly for herniated discs, which isn't my main problem.

My very first foraminotomy was on my L5-S1. I did not have fusion. This helped me for 5 years until my degenerative back condition continues.

Thanks for your answer. What do they do exactly in a foraminotomy and how long is the recovery ? I had a laminotomy in March 1 this year and now the Surgeon said I need a fusion to stop the twitching in my legs. What were your symptoms pre foraminotomy ?

Hello
I commented below but didn't see where you already had a laminectomy at that level. It seems to me that to do a foraminotomy at that level would weaken the joint dangerously. I would guess the doctor thinks this is why you need a fusion but he should have explained that. I wouldnt be too fearful of a fusion. I've had L4/S1 fused since 2018. Helped tremendously.Now dealing with L3 joint. It's typical to have the joint above a multilevel lumbar fusion fail after 5 - 6 years. But if you only have a 1 level fusion you may not even notice it. Just my opinion.