Eight out of 10 people will suffer from some sort of back pain at one point in their life. While some cases are mild, some require help from a spinal surgeon Basingstoke. One type of back surgery is the so-called lumbar laminectomy.

What Is Laminectomy

Lamina is the part of the bone that forms the spine’s vertebral arch. When a patient has spinal stenosis — or a condition in which the spine narrows and puts pressure on the spinal cord or the surrounding nerves — laminectomy is performed to remove the lamina. During the process, a Southampton neurosurgery expert may also remove bone spurs, which can add to the pressure being felt by the cord or nerves.

All these, in effect, shall relieve the compression that happens on the cord or the nerves. Apart from easing compression, laminectomy also targets to improve a patient’s leg function and mobility.

There are two types of lumbar laminectomy: unilateral and bilateral. The former removes a part or the entire lamina only on one side of the spine. The latter, on the other hand, removes both sides of the spine.

Things To Expect

People who commonly suffer spinal stenosis are those who have arthritis of the spine, tumors in the spine, a slipped disc, or a congenital defect. It may also be a result of an accident or due to the natural aging process.

If a Southampton neurosurgery professional advises you to undergo such a procedure after performing an MRI or a CT scan, expect the surgery to last for about three hours.

Prior to your surgery, you will be advised to fast for around six to 12 hours. If there are any special instructions that need to be followed, you should abide by what your surgeon says.

After undergoing laminectomy, you may be advised to be admitted in the hospital for up to three days. While recovering, you will be advised to limit your activities and avoid doing things like lifting, bending, or even climbing stairs.

To help in enhancing your mobility, physical therapy is also advised.

If you’ll experience drainage or swelling at the incision site, or you’ll have fever or difficulty urinating, you must talk to your doctor right away.

On Laminectomy’s Safety

Lumbar laminectomy has a high success rate — at 85 to 90% in particular. A study has also shown that around 75% patients have reported satisfactory conditions even a decade after the surgery.

However, like any other kind of surgery, it does come with inherent risks. These include damage to a nerve, return of back pain, infection in the incision site, and cerebrospinal leak. If the treatment is unsuccessful, the patient will also experience pain persistently. Other general risks are blood loss, blood clot, stroke, heart attack, and a negative reaction to the prescribed medications.

A Leading Name In Lumbar Laminectomy

Spinal Surgery Clinic specialises in treating and managing spinal injuries and pathologies — including back pain, neck pain, and tumours of the spine. Their chief spinal surgeon Basingstoke is an expert, specifically, in microsurgical techniques. Learn more about the clinic when you visit https://www.spinalsurgeryclinic.co.uk. Call them at 01256 315 025 or 022380 914437 or email them at [email protected].