====== Lumbar foraminotomy ====== see also [[Endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy]]. [[Operation]] used to relieve pressure on nerves that are being compressed by the [[intervertebral foramina]]. A foraminotomy is performed to relieve the symptoms of [[nerve root compression]] in cases where the foramen is being compressed by bone, disc, scar tissue, or excessive ligament development and results in a pinched nerve. The procedure is often performed as a [[minimally invasive]] procedure in which an incision is made in the back, the muscle peeled away to reveal the bone underneath, and a small hole cut into the vertebra itself. Through this hole, using an arthroscope, the foramen can be visualized, and the impinging bone or disk material removed. ===== Video =====