Your doctor may recommend a laminectomy if you are experiencing chronic back and nerve pain from spinal stenosis. Before making any decisions, it’s important to understand exactly what a laminectomy is and how it works. This blog post will cover the basics of a laminectomy, including who should get one, what happens during the surgery, and how long recovery usually takes.
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What is a Laminectomy Surgery?
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part of the vertebrae to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. Dr.Philip Henkin, a board-certified neurosurgeon in Brandon, Florida, says that a laminectomy can help reduce chronic back pain caused by herniated discs or spinal stenosis. The procedure involves removing the lamina (a thin piece of bone at the back of the vertebrae) and any soft tissue causing pressure on your nerves.
A laminectomy is a minimally invasive and generally outpatient procedure that doesn’t require an overnight stay in the hospital. Its purpose? To offer you immediate relief from any nerve pain or numbness associated with spinal stenosis, which results when your spinal canal becomes narrowed.
What is the Purpose of a Laminectomy?
For those suffering from sciatic nerve pain, a laminectomy is an efficient relief. The operation involves removing either both sides (bilateral) or one side (unilateral) of the affected vertebrae to relieve pressure on the pinched nerves. This can be done with or without removing adjacent tissue and bone and enlarging the intervertebral foramina.
You may be a good candidate for a laminectomy if you’re suffering from chronic back pain due to herniated discs or spinal stenosis. Talking with your doctor about your options before making any decisions is important, as certain risks are associated with this type of surgery. Your doctor will also want to ensure that other treatments have been tried before considering surgery as an option.
What Happens in a Laminectomy?
During a laminectomy, your surgeon will make an incision in your lower back and remove part of your vertebrae to access the nerves causing your pain. Once these nerves have been exposed, they can relieve any pressure by removing pieces of bone and soft tissue that may be compressing them. Your surgeon may also perform other procedures, such as decompression or fusion, depending on the severity of your condition.
How Long Is Recovery?
Recovery from a laminectomy usually takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks, depending on how extensive the surgery was. During this time, it’s important to follow all instructions given by your doctor to ensure proper healing and avoid any complications along the way. You should expect some soreness right after surgery, but this should subside over time with rest and physical therapy if necessary.
Conclusion
A laminectomy effectively treats chronic back and nerve pain caused by herniated discs or spinal stenosis. Recovery times are short because it is minimally invasive. Talk to your doctor about laminectomy and other minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) options that may help you;