The Patient's Guide to Laminotomy for Spinal Stenosis
Posted on May 26, 2015 12:00pm PDT
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal is narrowed, which
can compress the sensitive spinal cord and nearby nerves. Spinal stenosis
can result in troublesome symptoms such as lower back pain, leg pain,
difficulty walking, and frequent falling. To treat spinal stenosis, an
orthopedic surgeon in Miami might recommend a type of
back surgery known as laminotomy. Laminotomy is a spinal decompression surgery that
is similar to a laminectomy. Continue reading to find out more about this
treatment option.
Candidates
Typically, spine specialists only recommend surgical treatment for patients
who suffer from severe pain and other symptoms. Additionally, ideal candidates
for a laminotomy have already tried non-surgical orthopedic treatments,
such as physical therapy, medications, and injections, yet have not achieved
sufficient relief of symptoms.
Preparation
Before undergoing back surgery, it’s important for patients to fully
understand what’s involved with the procedure. Patients can expect
to consult an orthopedic surgeon, at which time they can ask any questions
they may have. Patients will need to disclose their full medical history,
including other medical conditions, medications, and supplements. As with
any surgical procedure, patients who smoke may be advised to quit to support
post-surgical healing. Some patients may be instructed to discontinue
the use of certain medications and supplements for a period of time prior
to the surgery. By midnight of the evening prior to the laminotomy, patients
will need to cease food and liquid intake.
Procedure
After placing the patient under anesthesia, the orthopedic surgeon will
create one long incision for an open surgery or multiple small incisions
for minimally invasive back surgery. Then, he or she will remove a small
portion of the lamina—the back section of the vertebra—in
the treatment area. By removing part of the lamina, the surgeon can provide
the spinal cord and nerves with more space within the spinal canal. Sometimes,
a laminotomy may involve more than one vertebrae. This procedure may sometimes
be combined with other surgical techniques, such as spinal fusion, which
involves permanently connecting two vertebrae to each other. This prevents
movement in the area, which can relieve severe symptoms.