Laminectomy

The goal of a Laminectomy is 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. Spinal stenosis is a condition that primarily afflicts elderly patients, and is caused by degenerative changes that result in enlargement of the facet joints. The enlarged joints then place pressure of the nerves, and this pressure maythoracic laminectomy at Jason A Smith MD be effectively relieved with a laminectomy.

How Is The Procedure Done

The patient is positioned face down. A small incision (usually about 3-4 inches, it may be longer depending on how many levels of the spine are affected) is made in the back or neck.

The surgeon uses a retractor to spread apart the muscles and fatty tissue of the spine and exposes the lamina. A portion of the lamina is removed to uncover the ligamentum flavum - the elastic ligament that helps connect two vertebrae.

Next an opening is cut in the ligamentum flavum in order to reach the spinal canal. Once the compressed nerve can be seen, the cause of compression can be identified. Most cases of spinal compression are caused by a herniated disc. However, other sources of pressure that can cause compression may include:

  • A disc fragment
  • An osteophyte or bone spur
  • Protruding/degenerating discs
  • Facet arthritis and/or cysts
  • Tumors

 

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