Is there an alternative to a laminectomy?

There are a few less invasive interventions that can help with back symptoms, including a pain management program, neurotomy, a spinal cord stimulator, an intrathecal pain pump and more. Learn more about non-surgical interventions.

Is there a minimally invasive laminectomy?

What Is a Minimally Invasive Laminectomy? A minimally invasive laminectomy (also known as spinal decompression) is a procedure used to relieve the pain and pressure on the nerve roots in the spine.

Which is better laminectomy or fusion?

In general, lumbar laminectomy alone has been shown to be better for patients with lumbar stenosis in the absence of instability. Studies have shown that lumbar decompression and fusion has been better in patients with spondylolisthesis.

Which is better discectomy or laminectomy?

Generally speaking, you need a discectomy if the problem is related to the vertebral discs, and a laminectomy if you have problems with the back of the vertebrae. Both surgeries receive pressure on nerves and the spinal cord, but they address different structures.

Is laminotomy better than laminectomy?

Doctors at the OHSU Spine Center favor laminotomy over laminectomy whenever possible because it requires a smaller incision and is less damaging to muscles around the bone. The procedures allow your doctor to see irritated spinal nerves.

Posterior decompression and "skip"laminectomy an alternative for surgical treatment of multi level

What is the least invasive surgery for spinal stenosis?

Endoscopic Decompression: The least invasive option available, this advanced technique requires only the tiniest of incisions (7 mm, or less than a quarter of an inch).

Why is a laminectomy so painful?

The pain is often associated with nerve injury, or irritation and inflammation of the root nerve following a laminectomy surgery.

How many years does a laminectomy last?

75% of patients may have satisfactory outcomes for up to 10 years postoperatively. Agabegi SS, McClung HL. Open lumbar laminectomy: Indications, surgical techniques, and outcomes. Seminars in Spine Surgery.

When do they recommend laminectomy?

Laminectomy is usually done for back or neck pain that continues after medical treatment. Or it is done when the pain is accompanied by symptoms of nerve damage, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. Loss of bowel or bladder control from pressure in the cervical or lumbar spine also usually needs surgery.

What is the success rate of minimally invasive laminectomy?

On average, the success rate for minimally invasive spine surgery is over 90%. While this is slightly lower than the average success rate of open spinal surgery (95%), many will agree that, when combined with all of its benefits, the minimally invasive approach is the highly preferable option.

What can I do instead of back surgery?

What are the two types of laminectomy?

There are two types of laminectomy: minimally invasive and open. During a minimally invasive laminectomy, the surgeon performs the procedure through a small incision with laparoscopic tools. During an open laminectomy, the surgeon makes a larger incision and cuts muscle to access the lamina.

Can you become paralyzed from laminectomy?

Some patients who have lumbar decompression surgery will develop new numbness or weakness in one or both legs as a result of the operation. Paralysis is an uncommon, but serious, complication that can occur as a result of lumbar decompression surgery.

What is the newest treatment for spinal stenosis?

What are interspinous spacers? Interspinous spacers are a new approach to treating spinal stenosis that work gently and in a targeted way by opening the spinal canal to create room and reduce pressure on crowded nerves.

What is a mini laminectomy?

In short, a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy—also known as a micro-laminectomy—takes the pressure off the spinal nerve roots to help relieve pain and related symptoms, such as numbness, tingling and weakness.

Who is not a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery?

For patients who are very old, spine surgery may not be the best option. Even minimally invasive surgery requires time for the body to heal itself. Some elderly patients, especially those who suffer from other conditions, are simply not up to the recovery required, and are better off with non-surgical treatments.

Who is a good candidate for a laminectomy?

Additionally, people who are good candidates for laminectomies have one or more of the following symptoms: Bladder or bowel incontinence. More pain in the limbs than in the back. Pain, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs.

Why do Laminectomies fail?

One of the most common causes is damage to the spinal nerve root. This damage may not have been caused by the surgery itself, but the procedure did not help it recover from the trauma it previously experienced. Another possible cause is the formation of scar tissue as the body tries to heal itself after surgery.

What is the preferred surgical approach for a laminectomy?

Historically, the posterior laminectomy has been the favored approach for approaching intradural spinal tumors [1,2]. In 1829, Alban Smith described the first successful posterior laminectomy to access the spinal canal for decompression of the spinal cord in the setting of trauma [3].

How much bone is removed in a laminectomy?

Laminectomy is the removal of the entire bony lamina, a portion of the enlarged facet joints, and the thickened ligaments overlying the spinal cord and nerves. Laminotomy is the removal of a small portion of the lamina and ligaments, usually on one side.

Does a laminectomy make your spine weaker?

Complications of a laminectomy

blood clots in the legs. chest infection. damage to the dura (which covers the spinal cord) leading to leakage of spinal fluid. injury to the nerve, weakness and numbness.

Can you walk normally after laminectomy?

You'll be encouraged to walk and move around the day after surgery and it's likely you'll be discharged 1 to 4 days afterwards. It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation).

Why back surgery should be avoided?

One of the primary reasons why back surgery should be avoided is the risk. All surgeries carry the risk of infection, excessive bleeding, and nerve injury. Not to mention many people don't like being put under general anesthesia or that they may have to use potentially addictive pills to manage the pain after surgery.

Why do I still have nerve pain after laminectomy?

Causes of Post-laminectomy Syndrome

Recurring pain after spinal surgery may arise from a variety of causes. Frequent causes include returning disc herniation and nerve root compression. Other causes include: scar tissue build-up (fibrosis), joint hypermobility, spinal instability, and facet joint problems.

Are muscles cut during laminectomy?

Thoraco-lumbar laminotomy

The muscles are dissected away from the lateral aspects of the spinous processes and the laminae until the facet joints are exposed. The supraspinous and interspinous ligaments at rostral-most and caudal-most levels of the laminotomy segment are cut (Fig. 5).