Lumbar Laminectomy and Discectomy Baltimore

Many people casually refer to the "backbone" when speaking of the bone structure in the back of the body that runs from the base of the skull to the back of the pelvis.  This is a bit of a misnomer because it is not really one bone.  The spine is made up of 26 smaller bone structures called vertebrae.  Because there are so many individual bones working together, the spine is able to bend and twist in many different directions.  In order for the vertebrae to fit and work together comfortably, they need to be cushioned. A fluid-filled disc is present in the spaces between each vertebrae in order for this to occur.

As a result of disease or trauma, the fluid in one or more spinal discs may escape and flow into the lumbar canal, which is the space that contains the spinal cord.  As nerve structures attached to the spinal cord try to exit from the spinal canal, the escaped fluid puts pressure on them and causes pain.  It can also cause numbness or weakness in the part of the body associated with the nerve.  Sometimes,  a lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore is needed to correct the problem.

What is a Lumbar Laminectomy and Discectomy?

The lumbar laminectomy and discectomy Baltimore MD (https://www.medstarunionortho.org) is a surgical procedure that is intended to correct the problem with the leaking disc.  The first part the the surgery is the laminectomy, which means, essentially, removing the top-most part of a specific vertebrae in order to access the internal part of the bone and the spinal canal.  Once the nerves have been retracted to one side, it is possible for the surgeon to visualize the damaged disc.  At this point, it can be removed, thereby relieving the pressure on the nerves.

This particular surgery can be performed in two different ways.  One is called "minimally open", which involves a small, traditional surgical incision.  Another option, called "minimally invasive" allows the surgeon to use specialized tools, requiring an even smaller incision.  Many of these types of operations are performed as a day procedure, with the patient returning home after just a few hours of recovery.