Lumbar Laminectomy Baltimore

A lumbar laminectomy Baltimore is one kind of surgery that is offered to some individuals who are suffering from specific kinds of back pain.  Back pain is one of the most common reasons that people in the United States are unable to work or do other activities.  So, what is involved in lumbar laminectomy surgery Baltimore?

Finding a Facility and Doctor for Back Surgery Baltimore

A lumbar laminectomy involves the removal of the bony arch of the vertebra when it is squeezing a nerve and subsequently causing pain at the site of the compression, or numbness somewhere in the extremities below.  This bony arch is also called a lamina; and, this is how the surgery was named.  An orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon will perform the operation.

For the surgery itself, the patient is placed on their abdomen, in a kneeling position to take weight off of the spine.  General anesthesia is used for this surgery, so there is no pain or awareness on the part of the patient throughout.  An incision is made by the surgeon in the lower back area, also called the lumbar region, down to the lamina that is slated for removal.

The ligament joining the vertebrae is removed, along with some portion of the lamina, with the goal of exposing the root of the involved nerve.  The root is moved back toward the center of the spinal column and also removes all or part of the disk.  The incision is then closed so that a large back muscle is now in the correct position to protect the spine and/or nerve root.

The lumbar laminectomy takes only one to three hours from start to finish and often does not require that the patient receive any units of blood throughout.  A follow-up appointment with the surgeon usually occurs in about one week after the surgery, with any staples or stitches that were put in being removed at that time.  The doctor will also check for infection or any other post-operative complications that might have arisen.  A more comprehensive follow-up usually occurs eight or so weeks after the surgery, at which time it should be clear what benefits the patient has realized from the procedure.