If non-surgical treatments have failed to relieve your back pain, your doctor may suggest a laminectomy. If you have spinal compression, bone spurs, or ligaments pressing on your nerves, you may need this back surgery. Patients should dress comfortably and bring their insurance information as well as a pocketbook for co-payments. It is strongly advised that you find someone to assist you in your recovery after surgery. Patients should also bring along a responsible adult who can assist them in driving home and caring for them.
According to Philip Henkin the length of recovery after a laminectomy is determined by the type of procedure performed. Minor laminectomy procedures may allow you to return home within a few days or a week. If you have a spinal fusion, you may require more time. Driving should be avoided for a few days following surgery. The general pain will usually go away within a week or two of the surgery. You may be able to return to work or drive after surgery, but you should avoid strenuous activity for the next few weeks.
While recovering from surgery, you may need to take pain medication. The anesthesiologist will put on a mask and administer anesthetic gas and medications through your veins. This medication renders you unconscious and impairs your ability to feel pain. Throughout the procedure, a patient's vital signs will be monitored. Once the surgeon has completed the procedure, the patient is taken to the recovery room, where doctors will monitor the patient's progress and any complications that may arise.
Philip Henkin pointed out that, typically, a laminectomy is performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. If bone spurs are squeezing the spinal cord, it may be necessary in some cases. To fill the space, the surgeon may need to take bone from the pelvis. This bone graft may cause the patient to experience more pain than usual following the procedure. Another possibility is to use bone from a laminectomy decompression as a graft.
There are numerous types of laminectomy surgery. There are three types of laminectomy: lumbar, sacral, and thoracic. Lumbar laminectomy is the surgical removal of a small section of bone in the lower spine. This procedure is most commonly performed on the lower back, but it can also be performed on the neck or the middle of the back. It can improve your quality of life by making room for compressed nerves.
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the lamina, or a portion of the vertebrae. This procedure opens the spinal canal and relieves pressure on the spinal cord. It is also possible to combine the procedure with a diskectomy, foraminotomy, or spinal fusion. A laminectomy allows your doctor to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve spinal nerve compression in both cases. It is usually used when conservative treatments have failed.
If you have symptoms of spinal stenosis, a laminectomy may be the best treatment option for you. Philip Henkin thinks that, it is both effective and safe for people suffering from severe back pain. However, there are risks to this surgery, especially in older adults. The recovery time can range from two months to a year. If you require this surgery, consult with your doctor about your health and any other medical conditions you may have. This procedure will take between two and three hours.