Laminectomy

Anterior Cervical Decompression and Spine Fusion for Spondylotic Myelopathy

spine-health — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:40:19 -0800

Benefits of anterior decompression and spine fusion surgery

In the past, cervical laminectomy (removing the posterior aspects of the spinal canal) to decompress (relieve pressure on) the spinal cord had been the procedure of choice to treat spondylotic myelopathy resulting from cervical arthritis.

Laminectomy

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:53:06 -0800

Definition

A procedure involving surgical removal of the bony arch of the vertebrae (lamina) which covers the nerve and allows for exploration of the disc and foramina, often used in the treatment of spinal stenosis.

Related information

Laminectomy back surgery interactive video
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Laminectomy and Spinal Stenosis: Risks and Complications

Ben Parr — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:01:59 -0700

Lumbar laminectomy surgery is able to alleviate spinal stenosis pain by removing painful pressure on the nerve root and/or disc space. However, the procedure is not foolproof. Complications can result from a variety of factors.

The potential risks and complications with a laminectomy

procedure include:

Laminectomy and Spinal Stenosis: Success Rates

Ben Parr — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:02:02 -0700

The success rate of a lumbar laminectomy surgery to alleviate pain from spinal stenosis is generally favorable. Following surgery, approximately 70% to 80% of patients will have significant improvement in their function (ability to perform normal daily activities) and markedly reduced level of pain and discomfort associated with spinal stenosis.

Laminectomy Back Surgery Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:19:44 -0800

A laminectomy is typically performed to alleviate pain caused by neural impingement that can result from spinal stenosis. The surgery involves removing a small portion of the bone and/or disc material around the nerve root to allow more space for better healing. This interactive video provides a step-by-step overview of a laminectomy.

Leg Pain and Numbness from Spinal Stenosis - Patients' Advice: Part II

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:55:12 -0800

Back-to-Back

Patients share insights on the treatment choices they have chosen for spinal stenosis.

Surgery results vary with choice of surgeon

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Lumbar Decompression Back Surgery

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Decompression is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by pinched nerves (neural impingement).

In this type of back surgery, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to give the nerve root more space and provide a better healing environment.

Several conditions may cause neural impingement, including spinal stenosis, a disc herniation, isthmic spondylolisthesis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, or (rarely) a spinal tumor.

Lumbar Laminectomy (Open Decompression)

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

A lumbar laminectomy (also known as open decompression) is typically performed to alleviate pain caused by neural impingement that can result from lumbar spinal stenosis.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment and Surgery

Ben Parr — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:15:38 -0800

Once a doctor has made a conclusive diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis, conservative or surgical treatment should be implemented, depending on the severity of the stenosis.

There are several options for conservative (non-invasive) treatment for spinal stenosis include:

Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:16 -0800

History of present illness

The patient is a 47-year-old male who had an L5-S1 discectomy 5 years ago. Although the back surgery relieved his sharp leg pain, he continued to not only have back pain but also leg pain.

Post-laminectomy syndrome: chiropractor viewpoint

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:16 -0800

The patient is suffering symptomatically and beginning to be further restricted functionally but the nerve roots do not seem to be in peril at this time. He has back and leg pain, settling of the facets with the disc narrowing and significant degenerative disease. A lot of information is lacking. What is the type of conservative care he has received? Can the pain generator be more clearly delineated diagnostically?

Post-laminectomy syndrome: surgeon viewpoint

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:16 -0800

Since the patient’s symptoms have been long standing and he has tried conservative treatment he would be a reasonable candidate for surgery. Factors that suggest he would do well with a fusion include the fact that there is a lot of disc space collapse at L5-S1 and that the rest of the discs are all well preserved.

As the disc space collapses the nerve root exiting the level (in this case the L5 nerve) can get irritated and radiate pain down the leg. He does not have a recurrent disc herniation so a discectomy alone will not provide him any relief.

Posterior Cervical Laminectomy

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:18 -0800

Top Back Surgery Topics:

Back/Neck Surgery Intro

Microdiscectomy

Lumbar Laminectomy

Cervical Spine Surgery

Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Preventing post-laminectomy spinal deformity in children with intramedullary spinal cord tumors (Research article)

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:16 -0800

This study was conducted with the goal of determining if instrumented spinal fusion surgery performed at the time of tumor removal is effective in preventing the development of spinal deformity for children with intramedullary spinal cord tumors.

Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Ben Parr — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:43:26 -0700

In most cases of advanced claudication (spinal or vascular), decompressive surgery is required. There are several opinions and techniques used in spinal stenosis surgery, but there are key components common to all such approaches.

Spinal Stenosis Treatment

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:55:12 -0800

Non-surgical treatment for spinal stenosis

Depending on the severity of symptoms, spinal stenosis can often be managed through non-surgical means. The three most common treatments for spinal stenosis include:

Thoracic Disc Herniation Treatment

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:26:50 -0800

The vast majority of symptomatic thoracic disc herniations can be treated without surgery. There are a variety of non-surgical treatment options that can be tried, and often patients will need to try several, or a combination of different treatments, to find what works best for them.

Non-operative Treatments

Non-surgical treatment options for upper back pain and other symptoms from a thoracic herniated disc will typically include one or a combination of the following:

Treatment Options for Bone Spurs

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:16:19 -0800

Non-surgical treatment for bone spurs

Most patients with mild or moderate nerve compression and irritation from bone spurs can manage their symptoms effectively with conservative care, such as:

Treatment Options for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:31:46 -0800

More Neck Pain Info

Chronic Neck Pain

Types of Neck Pain

Cervical Myelopathy

Spondylosis Information

Back and Neck Surgery

Both conservative (non-surgical) and surgical approaches are available to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy.