Lumbar Laminectomy Baltimore MD Treats Damaged Disc

Your spinal column is made up of 33 vertebrae that are separated by discs for cushioning and support.  If these discs become damaged, a procedure called a lumbar laminectomy Baltimore MD may be necessary.

Symptoms treated by a lumbar laminectomy Baltimore MD

Discs can be damaged due to injury, but most often it is the result of aging and normal breakdown.  If the disc loses fluid and becomes dried out, it can become compressed.  This pressure leads to the break down of the outer ring of the disc, which can allow the soft inner part to bulge, called a bulging disk.   A herniated disc is when the disc continues to break down, allowing the inner nucleus to rupture out from the center of the disc.  Symptoms of a bulging or herniated disc that may need lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore include pain, numbness, and tingling.  These symptoms usually come from nerve pressure, so where in the body the symptoms are felt can depend on which nerves are affected.

Other treatments

If the symptoms are mild, it is likely that your doctor will try other treatments before a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore.  These treatments can include limiting activities that make the symptoms worse and physical therapy.  Other treatments that are often attempted before a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore include medicines.  These can be medicines to relieve pain, anti-inflammatory medicines, and muscle relaxants.

Lumbar laminectomy and disectomy Baltimore

If the symptoms are severe and other treatments have not helped, you may need a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore.  During a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore, your doctor accesses your spinal column by making an incision and spreading the back muscles.  He or she will use tiny tools during a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore to remove as much of the damaged disc as possible.

Lumbar laminectomy recovery Baltimore

Lumbar laminectomy recovery Baltimore often requires a few days in the hospital.  Full lumbar laminectomy recovery Baltimore can take several weeks and your doctor will require follow up appointments before you can be cleared for too much physical activity.  Visit www.medstarunionortho.org to learn more about lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore.