A lumbar laminectomy is a spinal surgical procedure designed to help relieve compression within a vertebra. While the procedure can be done using traditional open surgery, most surgeons choose a minimally invasive approach. A minimally invasive procedure generally offers immediate relief from pain due to spinal compression (stenosis). Spinal stenosis is used to describe compression within the spinal canal. When something presses on the spinal cord and spinal nerves within the canal, it creates pressure. That pressure leads to pain and discomfort, and if left untreated, it can lead to other symptoms. These include pain to the legs and hips, difficulty walking and even problems controlling your bowels. A laminectomy reduces this pressure.
We offer the Coflex procedure for treatment of spinal stenosis. For more information, please visit the Coflex website.
How Does this Procedure Work?
Dr. David S. Raskas will perform a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy which will provide you with quicker healing and rapid recovery time. In addition, the muscle tissue is not damaged as muscles are moved out of the way instead of cutting through. He will remove a portion of the lamina so that the spinal canal is visible and then remove any disc debris that may be intruding on the nerves and spinal cord. Herniated material attached to the disc will be removed or he may remove the entire disc which would require spinal fusion to stabilize the spine.
In addition to removing herniated disc material, Dr. Raskas can remove bone spurs that have developed within the spinal canal that are causing compression. Once compression has been removed, the spine is closed up with a small incision. Most patients report immediate relief from pain and a quick recovery with no hospital stay required.
Because every patient is unique and treatment options range from minimally invasive back surgery to advanced surgical procedures, recovery varies greatly among his patients and is dependent on the extent of your surgery, age and health.
For more information about a lumbar laminectomy or other spinal surgery options to treat back pain, contact Dr. David S. Raskas at call 314-442-4452.
