Laminectomy Treatment

When Is A Laminectomy Recommended?

A laminectomy surgery may be recommended in several scenarios. However, it is primarily done to alleviate discomfort and disability caused by spinal conditions and post-failure of conservative or nonsurgical options to treat the same. Some of the common situations which necessitate a laminectomy are:

• Spinal stenosis: As discussed above, spinal stenosis leads to the narrowing of the spinal canal and is a common indication for laminectomy surgery. 
• Herniated disc: If a herniated disc majorly compresses/pressurizes nerve roots, a laminectomy may be required alongside discectomy. 
• Tumors: Sometimes tumors within the spinal canal can also press on the nerves and spinal cord, and necessitate a laminectomy.
• Degenerative disc disease: Severe cases of degenerative disc diseases may require laminectomy as a part of the procedure, where laminectomy is aimed at relieving pressure on the nerves or spinal cord.
• Spondylolisthesis: This is a condition where one vertebra slips forward over the other. Spondylolisthesiscan be treated with laminectomy.
• Abscesses or cysts: Lastly, laminectomies can also be used to remove cysts and abscesses that are compressing the spinal nerves.

The choice of carrying out a laminectomy operation is also dependent on the patient’s overall health and the severity of his/her symptoms. 

Laminectomy - Benefits And Risks

Weighing the potential risks and benefits of laminectomy is crucial to the success of the surgery. Here’s a list of risks and benefits associated with a laminectomy:

Risks:

• Bleeding and infection at the surgical site
• Damage to the surrounding nerves
• Spinal instability
• Tear of the dura mater
• Recurring symptoms
• Development of blood clots

Benefits:

• Relief in symptoms like  back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness 
• Improved mobility, flexibility, and function
• Improvement in the overall quality of life
• Prevention of neurological damage and loss of function

For many people, the potential benefits of laminectomy operation outweigh the risks. However, each case is unique, and the decision to undergo the surgery should be made on an individual basis.