@westlakechap
I think it wasn’t necessarily due to the foramenotomy. Depending on how much bone was removed and without hardware to stabilize the vertebrae, the foundation of the vertebrae may have been weakened and shifted to cause a new herniated disc.

Were you told you had degenerative disc disease based upon your MRI and any disc bulges before your surgery? Did you have EMG/nerve conduction studies (ncs) of your upper limbs by a neurologist? You may want this done before your surgery.

It seems ACDF discectomy/fusion with hardware is needed for you to stabilize your c6-c7 level. I had ACDF surgery on c5-c6 in 2022 (to remove bone spurs/disc bulge pressing on spinal cord/nerve roots) and now need c6-c7 done due to a new herniated disc. My surgeon had me get updated EMGs/ncs before getting my 2nd cervical surgery. I hope to get my surgery in May.

I have degenerative disc disease, congenital spinal stenosis, myelopathy spinal cord compression injury and osteoarthritis. I expect to need surgery for the rest of my life (I am currently in my mid-50s). Not looking forward to more aging degeneration. 🙁