Laminectomy is a type of surgery in which a surgeon removes part or all of the vertebral bone (lamina). This helps ease pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots that may be caused by injury, herniated disk, narrowing of the canal (spinal stenosis), or tumors. A laminectomy is considered only if conservative treatments have not worked.
Why might I need a laminectomy?
Low back or neck pain can range from mild, dull, and annoying to persistent, severe, and disabling. Pain in the spine can restrict your ability to move and function. Consult with a pain management specialist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms
One common reason for having a laminectomy is a herniated disk in the spine.
A disk may be displaced or damaged because of injury or wear and tear. When the disk presses on the spinal nerves, it causes pain, and sometimes numbness or weakness. The numbness or weakness will be felt in the body part where the nerve is involved, often the arms or legs. The most common symptom of a herniated disk is sciatica, which is a sharp, shooting pain along the sciatic nerve, extending from the buttocks to the thigh and radiates down the back of the leg.