Laminectomy
What Is a Laminectomy?
The lamina is a part of the vertebra that tends to overgrow. A laminectomy—also known as lumbar laminectomy surgery—is a spinal surgery in which part or all of the lamina is removed.
Removing the lamina creates space in the spinal canal. This relieves pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. High amounts of spinal pressure can cause severe pain, nerve damage, and even full-body numbness.
Since arthritis often causes this bone overgrowth in the spinal canal, laminectomies are most commonly performed on older adults. A laminectomy won’t treat arthritis, but it will relieve some of its symptoms.
Why You Might Need a Laminectomy Surgery
Surgical intervention is needed when all other treatments have failed to provide the relief you need. This includes but is not limited to physical therapy, pain management medications and/or injections.
If you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms below, it may be time to talk to an expert spine surgeon.
