Low Back Pain: Lumbar Laminectomy Surgery
1,104,083
Published 2021-07-20
#LumbarLaminectomy #LowerBackSurgery #LumbarSpineSurgery
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Laminectomy is the surgical removal of part of the vertebral bone called the lamina. 24 vertebrae make up the vertebral column, or spinal column. Each vertebra has two laminae fused together to form the roof of the spinal canal. The laminae protect the spinal cord in the neck and back regions. In the lower back where the spinal cord ends, the laminae protect the large bundle of nerve roots called the cauda equina as well as the nerve roots exiting the spine. Nerve root compression can be caused by bony spurs from arthritis, a herniated disc compressing the nerve root, or less commonly, a bony tumor of the vertebra. A laminectomy relieves back and leg pain caused by this nerve root compression by removing all or part of the lamina. This immediately alleviates the pressure on the nerve root. If a herniated disc is present, your doctor will often perform a discectomy, which directly removes the source of the compression. A laminectomy can be done on a vertebrae in the lower back called the lumbar vertebrae or those in the neck region called cervical vertebrae. Microlaminectomy and microdiscectomy are procedures performed with the aid of a microscope. When you arrive at the hospital an intravenous line will be started, and a catheter may be placed in your bladder to drain your urine. Just before surgery, you will be given either general, or spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia is injected into a sac that surround your spinal cord and numbs the area where the doctor will be working. With spinal anesthesia you will be awake during the procedure, but you have no feeling in the lower half of your body. A laminectomy takes about one to three hours. You will lie on your stomach, or on your side, for the duration of the procedure. Your surgeon will begin by making a small incision overlying your spine. Retractors are used to pull fat and muscles away from the lamina. Using a special bone drill, your surgeon will cut away the lamina in order to see in to the spinal canal and locate the source of the nerve compression. If a herniated disk is causing the compression, he or she will perform a discectomy by removing the protruding part of the disk. To complete the procedure, the deep tissues and incision in your back we'll be closed with stitches. After your surgery you'll be taken to the recovery room for monitoring. The nursing staff will regularly check vital signs and the strength of the leg on the side of your surgery, to be sure the nerve has not been severely injured. You will be encouraged to get up and walk as soon as you feel comfortable. If a catheter was inserted before your surgery, it will be removed before you leave the hospital. If you've had an uncomplicated discectomy, you will likely leave the hospital the next day. Laminectomies performed for other reasons may require longer hospital stays.
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All Comments (21)
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I’ve just had this operation and all I can say is THANKS to the surgeons and nurses involved in this ...
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Had one on my lower back due to a car accident. Complete recovery...great surgeon and great team.
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Wait, so the patient's just going to get discharged from the hospital with a portion of his/her spine missing and a part of the spinal nerve exposed?
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I'm 2 days post surgery. Surgical site is sore but I can walk without pain and numbness in my legs and feet. Pretty easy deal.
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I had this done 30 years ago. L4 and disc removal as well. I would have to say that mine was a total success. The doc said I was a textbook case. One thing you must do is change your life. No running, jumping or pushing on anything. No lifting over 50 lbs although I lift things I shouldn't. My recovery time was 4 weeks but as for as the debilitating pain in my left buttocks and down my left leg was gone the day of the surgery. Word up is that recovery times now can be as little as 2-3 days with the new techniques and surgery tools. For the questions below about a hole in your back I can't feel or notice any difference in my spine.
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I am seriously so nervous for mine but I'm up watching the videos and reading your comments and it's giving me hope because I have no quality of life with this intense pain 24-7. No physical therapy relieved it. Getting hurt like this in a bad car accident and then crushing the discs even worse going right to work . I am so relieved to read all your successes and to see there is a new life ahead for me too with this surgery. 💜🙏
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I had this surgery a year ago the nerve pain was unbelievable I wouldn't wish on anyone ifeel fantastic now would recommend this surgery
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Soon nucleus media will be like Grey's anatomy where we might almost think we can be doctors by just watching those videos... They are always so useful!!!! ✨✨
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I am so happy for those who achieved pain relief from their laminectomy procedure! I have endured 16 years of chronic, 24-7 puke causing pain, 3 surgeries; the last one a 5 1/2 hr. laminectomy, where the surgeon claimed to have spent 4 hours attempting to open the canal. Now my back is a total mess, remining a large cavity of missing bone plates and unable to receive any additional surgeries, according to MRI and multiple doctors. My surgeon was terminated after my surgery, due to other circumstances, not mine. Thankfully I have recently received massive relief of pain from the implant of an FDA approved, Abbott Spinal Stimulator device! Pain is no longer my friend. I am so disappointed that so many people have to suffer due to insurance and poor quality surgeons for this spine topic. Kudos to the Great Surgeons! You are Under-appreciated!
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Who love this type of animations like hare
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Not a form of pain relief for lower back pain, this is relief of impingement of nerves in the lower extremity and lower body. The removed portion allows the nerves to expand posteriorly as there is likely pressure from the disc that is impacting motor function, sensation and causing pain.
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Four months ago I had anterior and posterior lumbar fusion. The pain pre-surgery is gone but have this horrible pain which from an MRI shows I need this procedure now. Glad to read most comments are positive regarding this procedure. Thanks!
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For my back pain helped.. basically " Backpainrono Method " 4 days the pain was 100% gone.
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I'm glad to know so many had successful surgeries! Imagine what it was like for people before this procedure were possible.
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The animation, as always hasn't disappointed me. Thanks for the information.
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This represents the worst pain and suffering I've ever experienced in my 55 years. I still remember the tears coming down my cheeks as I tried to do anything. Even sleeping was next to impossible unless I took pain killers. I would wake up every 3.5 hours as they wore off! The operation was the only thing that worked for me. Thank God and Dr. Mark Thomas whose name I'll never forget. The moment I woke up I said to the nurse "The pain, it's gone". Then i asked her to immediately change the TV from CNN to Fox News! Today, I would ask her to turn the TV OFF but this was 16 years ago.
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This is one of the most educational channel on YT platform. THNX for sharing the knowledge 😁
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I had this surgery. So glad I did and for our great British NHS.
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i had 3 of these done between 2002 and 2004. The amount of scar tissue present has caused constant pain in my lower back ever since. The deep pain in my legs now suggests I may need another procedure but i can only imagine how much worse my back will feel after a 4th. Also, a "small incision" turned into an 11" incision covering my entire lumbar spine on the 3rd surgery. This surgery is a life saver for many people, and if a disc ruptures it's a full on emergency and you'll be glad this is available, but the complications can be life changing. i was 15 in 2002, a lot of doors were closed after having this done.
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I had a laminectomy last Nov from L3-L5. Very happy with the results.
