Laminectomy

Laminectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a portion of the vertebral bone. This is done to relive the pressure on the nerve roots. The lamina is the vertebral bone that is operated upon so as to reduce pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. Spinal stenosis usually affects older persons due to degeneration and subsequent enlargement of the facet joints. This leads to acute pain. Laminectomy is also performed to treat conditions such as herniated disks and spondylolisthesis. A patient may need to spend a few days in the hospital and will require physio therapy for embarking on activities such as sitting, standing and walking. In some cases there can be complications such as nerve damage, spinal fluid leak, worsening back pain and bleeding.