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← Return to Journey from foraminotomy to ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
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Journey from foraminotomy to ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
Spine Health | Last Active: 6 hours ago | Replies (36)Comment receiving replies
Hello, it is looking like I might need an additional surgery on my spine. I had a Lumbar Spinal Fusion at L5-S1 in November of 2025, and my back has been healing well. Unfortunately, I still have severe muscle cramping in my right side (Obliques around to the Flank) to the point I'm spending most of my days laying in bed. The only relief I get is laying on my back, which takes 10 to 15 minutes to calm everything down.
After extensive research, it keeps coming back to a good chance there is a bone protrusion in the T12-L1 and/or T11-T12 areas of my spine. This would require Foraminotomy surgery to shave back the bone that is affecting the nerve(s).
Has anyone gone through with this surgery? I'm wondering how it will compare to my lumbar fusion recovery, which is an entirely different problem right now. Because of the pain I've been in, I have never had the chance to fully recover from the lumbar surgery. Now, possibly having a second surgery has me worried about recovering all over again.
Replies to "Hello, it is looking like I might need an additional surgery on my spine. I had..."
Hi @marcd2k - you are not alone. You may notice that I moved your post and combined it with this existing discussion on foraminotomy, because I thought it might be beneficial for you to be introduced to members who have discussed the same:
- Foraminotomy: Has it helped with pain? Major surgery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/foraminotomy-1/
If you are replying by email, click on VIEW & REPLY so that you can read through some of the earlier messages and meet some of the other members talking about their or their or their loved ones' experiences.
Fellow members such as @profevl @jlssurplus @morkat may have some input for you on foraminotomy and potentially how it would compare with your lumbar fusion that you feel you've never had the chance to fully recover from due to other spinal challenges. @jenniferhunter also may have some thoughts to share.
Glad you've gotten to connect with @gently.
What would you say worries you most about recovery, @marcd2k?
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marcd2K, foraminotomy is a simpler procedure. https://www.youtube.com/watch It should be a much easier recovery, but I've only observed the difference in a loved one. Experienced answers will follow. Wishing you pain free results!