Lumbar Laminectomy Overview

A condition that primarily afflicts elderly patients, spinal stenosis is caused by degenerative changes that result in enlargement of the facet joints. The enlarged joints then place pressure on the nerves, and this pressure may be effectively relieved with thelaminectomy .

The lumbar laminectomy is designed to remove a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root to give the nerve root more space and a better healing environment.

A lumbar laminectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by neural impingement. The laminectomy surgery is designed to remove a portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root to give the nerve root more space and a better healing environment. A laminectomy can be effective to decrease pain and improve function for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a condition that primarily afflicts elderly patients, and is caused by degenerative changes that result in enlargement of the facet joints. The enlarged joints then place pressure on the nerves, and this pressure may be effectively relieved with a lumbar laminectomy.

• First, the back is approached through a two-inch to five-inch long incision in the midline of the back and the back muscles are dissected off the lamina on both sides and at the effected levels.
• After the spine is approached, the lamina is removed (laminectomy) which allows visualization of the nerve roots.
• The facet joints, which are directly over the nerve roots, may then be undercut (trimmed) to give the nerve roots more room.