Types of Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis

A laminectomy is a surgery performed to remove the portion of the posterior or inner layer of your vertebral column, known as the lamina. The procedure helps relieve pressure on your spinal cord and nerve roots, which are called neural structures. Your laminae are located between the vertebrae in your spine. Inner parts of the vertebral column have bony shelf-like structures that support its weight. 

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause pressure on nearby nerves and the spinal cord. It can cause pain in the back, hips, thighs, or buttocks. It can also cause weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs. It most commonly affects people over the age of 50, particularly women.

What is a Laminectomy?

A laminectomy is a type of surgery in which a surgeon removes a portion of the lamina, a thin layer of bone, from the spine. This type of surgery is often performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Laminectomy may also be combined with spinal fusion, a procedure in which two or more vertebrae are joined together.

What is a Cervical Laminectomy?

The lamina of the cervical spine provides stability to the neck and supports the weight of the head. As we age, the lamina can become less elastic and stiffer. A cervical laminectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the lamina, or thin layer, of tissue that supports the bones of the cervical spine or neck.

In most cases, a laminectomy can be performed through an incision at the back of the neck and may be done with or without fusion. The goal of laminectomy is to remove the stiffened lamina and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves in the neck so that symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness are eliminated.

What is a Lumbar Laminectomy?

A lumbar laminectomy specifically refers to the surgery performed in the lower back or lumbar spine. Laminectomies are often performed when other methods, such as medication or physical therapy, have failed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. This surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient does not need to stay overnight in the hospital.

What is a Sacral Laminectomy?

Sacral laminectomy is a surgical procedure to remove portions of the sacrum, which is a part of the spine that sits at the bottom of the pelvis. This procedure may be recommended for those who have ongoing lower back pain, hip pain, or pain in the groin due to a condition called sacral dysfunction.

Sacral laminectomy is often recommended for people with spinal stenosis, a condition that causes the spinal canal to narrow, putting pressure on the nerves in the spine. Nerves in the spinal canal control many important functions, such as feeling heat and cold, controlling urination, and sensing pain.

Contact a Spine Surgeon to Learn More

Surgery on your spine can make anyone nervous, but putting yourself in the hands of a skilled surgeon means you can return to a less-painful life. Imagine not having pain or stiffness in your back because of a relatively simple surgery. If you are having back problems, it is worth the risk to get it fixed. 

The key to having the confidence to go through with the surgery is picking a surgeon you can put your faith in. We have surgeons with extensive training and experience that you can trust. Call Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery at (866)-646-5090 to schedule a consultation with our surgeons about your back problems.