Issues like bone spurs and arthritis can be painful to deal with and sometimes cannot be corrected with conservative methods. In order to create space in the spine, your neurosurgeon may recommend laminectomy to reduce your pain and relieve pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. This is usually done as part of decompression surgery and is used when those conservative methods fail to relieve your pain and other symptoms.
What is a Laminectomy?
A laminectomy is a surgery that creates space in your spine by removing bone spurs and growths. Normally, a small piece of the back of the small bones in the spine is removed to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve the pressure that is placed on the spinal cord. These bone spurs can occur in those who have arthritis in the spine, are older, or have a family history of bone spurs.
The pain caused by these growths can cause pain, weakness, and a numb feeling that can spread down the arms and legs. A laminectomy is designed to relieve the pressure that causes this pain but may not relieve back pain that could be associated with arthritis. A laminectomy can also be used to treat a herniated disc.
You should start noticing a great improvement in your symptoms after surgery. You may especially notice that the pain that normally radiates through your arms or legs has lessened, but it’s important to know that the benefits can be reduced by some forms of arthritis. It’s important to continue working with your doctor to manage other pain and issues that cause back pain.
Contact Your Neurosurgeon Today
Don’t hesitate to learn more about reducing your pain from arthritis or bone spurs. Contact your neurosurgeons at Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center in Sugar Land, TX, at (281) 313-0031 for more information and to schedule a consultation today.