I have decided to perform a foraminotomy at my right C5-C6 level. The stenosis on the right side is severe, and I want to maximize the likelihood of regaining strength I lost in my right hand.
I also have mild stenosis at my left C5-C6 level. And I was thinking of using the operation as opportunity to address stenosis on both sides. If I was not doing foraminotomy on my right side, I would not opt for foraminotomy for the left side as I don’t think the left side is severe enough to warrant surgery.
Is it common to perform foraminotomy on one side and use conservative methods (steroid injection, for instance) to treat stenosis on the left side? How have you handled similar situations where one side has severe stenosis and the other mild?