Foraminotomy: Anyone have any experience with this procedure?

I have lumbar foraminal stenosis not in the neck. So the nerves coming out of the foramen are being pinched, worse on the left side. The test confirmed nerve damage in the S 5 area I think. So tired right now due to pain keeping me awake.
I want to find out from others on here if anyone had lumbar foraminotomy without fusion.
Thanks for your help !

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.

@annie1
I would also love to know about foraminotomy without fusion for cervical spine. I already have decompression and fusion of c5-c6 but show severe foraminal stenosis at that same level now and not sure if that procedure can be done with hardware already installed. I also have a disc extrusion at c6-c7 and not sure how both could be handled. I hope you get some responses to your post.

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 ?

hope you had a great Thanksgiving. So what do they do in a foramintomy and how long was your recovery ? My surgeon seems to think he would have to do fusion to prevent spine instability. Is that true ? maybe age has something to do with it ? I am not up for fusion !

I have a minimally invasive foraminotomy w/on fusion scheduled for Jan 6th. I'm having very severe pain in front right thigh, knee, back and hip. Problem is apparently foraminal stenosis at exiting L3 nerve root. Dr. says it's mainly ligamentum flavum hitting the nerve. About an hour procedure with excellent prognosis for leg pain relief. Dr. is less certain that it will help with the back pain but he said fusion may not help there either. Another doctor wouldn't do the endoscopic procedure but wanted to do a fusion. If I think about it I'll let you know how it goes or you can reach out. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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.

I am happy that I found this forum. It has addressed many of my concerns. Although, my situation is a tad more complex. Background, 1985 car accident, 3 months in hospital. I broke my neck and I have a C3-5 wire and fusion. I have had little to no issues with my neck and I count my blessing for that. I am unable to have any steroid injections due to the reaction to them. I have chronic Lyme, (from blood tansfusions from the car accident). Steroids surpresses my immune system. I have severe bilateral foraminal narrowing at C5-6 and C6-7. Will be having an MRI soon. I have been researching treatment and found this page. I live 2 hours north of Mayo and am already in their system. Not sure how this will pan out but it gives me hope.

I am curious also cause I have a nerve being compressed because of the foraminal stenosis. I am hoping or wondering if I got the foramenotomy my nerve wouldn't be compressed anymore and that would take the pain away and I could walk more. Is that correct?