The spine is a complicated collection of nerves, bones, tissues, ligaments, and muscles. Any of the pieces that make up the spine can cause serious pain due to injuries or other conditions affecting them. One such potential problem is known as spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spine. When the spine narrows, the lamina — a pair of bones that protect the spinal canal on each vertebra — no longer sit right, and can compress the nerves in the spinal canal causing significant pain and ongoing mobility issues.
Compressed laminae are first treated with pain management and physical therapy in the hopes of avoiding surgery, but if these approaches fail, then a laminectomy may be the next step to alleviating pain.
Laminectomies For Spinal Stenosis
A laminectomy is a common surgery to alleviate pain associated with spinal stenosis, and is performed by removing the portions of a lamina from the vertebrae that are causing pressure and nerve pain. In addition to removing these small pieces of bone, a surgeon may also remove bone spurs if there are any that have developed alongside the ligaments. Herniated or damaged discs are also partially or completely removed, and the adjacent vertebrae are sometimes fused to provide the support that the discs once provided.
These procedures are typically fast, lasting only a few hours, and the recovery process is often fairly speedy. Most patients are discharged within one to three days after surgery, and some may even be discharged on the same day as the procedure depending on their condition and whether or not monitoring is required. If a spinal fusion is performed along with the laminectomy, there are additional recovery requirements that you will be able to discuss with your doctor.
Candidates For Laminectomy Surgery
A laminectomy is most often performed in order to treat spinal stenosis, but is not the only solution to the narrowing of the spinal cord. Working closely with an experienced doctor is the best way to determine the appropriate course of action for your back or neck pain, but if you suffer from any of the following conditions, you and your doctor may decide that surgery is the best path forward:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Traumatic injuries to the spine
- Paget’s bone disease
- Spinal defects
- Arthritis
Whether or not you see a condition above that you suffer from, speaking with a doctor is the only way to decide the right option for your unique situation.
Risks Associated With Spinal Stenosis Surgeries
Any invasive procedure, no matter how minimal, comes with risks. These risks can be reduced by closely working with an experienced doctor and following your recovery plan, but be aware that there is always a possibility of issues like infection, nerve damage, loss of blood or spinal fluid, clotting, or allergic reactions.
Your surgical team will work carefully to minimize these risks and get you headed towards a pain-free life as soon as possible. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an experienced and certified professional in your area.