In most cases, you require a discectomy if the problem is related to the vertebral discs, and a laminectomy if the problems are with the back of the vertebrae. Both surgeries relieve pressure on nerves and the spinal cord and your doctor will recommend based on your condition as they address different structures.
Discectomy and laminectomy can be performed together or alone to achieve relief from pain due to a herniated lumbar disc.
Pain in the spine can restrict your mobility and affect your quality of life. Laminectomy may be done to ease pressure on the spinal nerves, treat a disk problem, or remove a tumor from the spine.
A disc may be displaced or damaged due to injury or simply wear and tear. As the disc presses on the spinal nerves, this causes pain, and sometimes numbness or weakness. The most common symptom of a herniated disc is sciatica. If you find yourself experiencing these symptoms and having limited success with medical treatments, you may want to consider surgery.
This procedure is performed through an incision on the lower back. The surgeon removes a section of bone, called the lamina, from one or more vertebrae. This relieves pressure on the nerve roots caused by stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal).
End of Procedure
The spinal canal is now clear of any bone fragments, which relieves pressure from the nerve roots. The surgeon checks the nerve roots to make sure they are no longer being pinched.
This minimally invasive technique is used to remove the herniated portion of intervertebral disc. It is 95-98% effective in eliminating leg pain (sciatica) caused by nerve root compression. The procedure is performed through a small incision on the back.
This procedure is performed through an incision on the lower back. The surgeon removes a section of bone, called the lamina, from one or more vertebrae. This relieves pressure on the nerve roots caused by stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
The steps usually involve:
A herniated disc occurs when inflammatory proteins from a disc’s inner core leak out.
Degenerative disc disease is when normal changes that take place in the discs of your spine cause pain.
Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces in the spine narrow and create pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.