Laminectomy is a form of spinal surgery to alleviate pain and other symptoms caused by nerve compression in the spine. Typically, it is performed when nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy and medication have failed to provide relief.
Laminectomy is the surgical removal of the lamina, the bony roof encompassing the spinal canal. It may also remove bone nodules or other spinal components that pressure the nerves.
Before a laminectomy, the patient's physician will conduct a thorough physical examination and standardized tests, such as blood and X-rays. These tests ensure the surgery is safe and appropriate for the patient's condition.
A laminectomy is typically performed when nonoperative treatment options, such as physical therapy and pain medications, fail to alleviate a patient's symptoms. Additionally, it can be achieved if the spinal cord or nerves are constrained due to bony overgrowths, herniated discs, injury, tumors, or spinal canal narrowing.
During a laminectomy, the bony protective roof of the vertebrae is removed, and the spinal canal is decompressed. This alleviates the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that can lead to various excruciating symptoms, such as lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), cauda equina syndrome, radiculopathy, and myelopathy.
Typically, a laminectomy is performed under general anesthesia. A patient is positioned face down on a Jackson table, which frees the abdomen and slightly elevates the hip to simulate a standing position.
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of the lamina, a vertebral bone component. Frequently, it is conducted in conjunction with other spinal decompression procedures (such as diskectomy) or foraminotomy, which enlarges the orifice where the nerve roots exit the spinal canal.
This surgery takes several hours and is typically performed under general anesthesia (no discomfort). The doctor places a respirator over the patient's face and administers a mixture of oxygen and anesthetic gas through a respiration tube inserted into the patient's trachea.
The anesthesiologist may also administer intravenous medications to help you unwind and remain unconscious. The doctor removes your epidermis and musculature to obtain access to your back once you are incapacitated.
In addition to removing bone spurs, disc fragments, and other problematic tissue, the surgeon may also remove bone spurs. This is done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This is a standard treatment for arthritis of the spine, but it is only used if less invasive remedies have failed or if the symptoms are worsening.
A laminectomy is a standard surgical procedure to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves and spinal cord. A herniated (slipped) disc may cause back and leg discomfort, muscle paralysis, or numbness.
It is typically performed under general anesthesia, rendering the patient unconscious and painless. It can be achieved through large incisions (open surgery) or tiny incisions using specialized instruments (minimally invasive spine surgery).
You may go home the same day as the surgery or remain in the hospital for one to two days (or longer if the surgery is part of a more extensive procedure). After a single-level laminectomy, most patients can return to their ordinary occupations, and some are discharged within a few weeks.
The time it takes to recover from a laminectomy depends on the severity of your stenosis and the type of procedure you underwent. Within a few days to weeks, you may be able to resume moderate activities (desk work and household) after a minor laminectomy.
A physical therapist will instruct you on safely using your legs and progressively increasing activity level. This prevents muscle atrophy and blood blockages, which are crucial to your recovery. Exercise is also beneficial to your overall health because it improves circulation