Cure Sciatica Via Laminectomy

A surgery of spine to remove lamina- the two small bones making vertebra, is known as Laminectomy. The mid portion of the lamina is removed with an open technique or with the aid of endoscopes or tubular retractors. This process eases the pain of the patient and removes the pressure off his spinal nerve.

How Do You Know It's time For Laminectomy?
Patients who don't have a back-record of chronic pain get relief in 48 hours or so. But, if a patient doesn't get relief from bed rest or medication, he is taken to an orthopedic surgeon. Then the physician will conduct physical examinations, imaging studies as well as neurological workshops. Nerve root disorders are identified by the orthopedic surgeon with the help of simple maneuvers. Doctors also feel the spinal column of the patients and discover the exact location of the tender spots. X-ray, CT scan and MRI are the part of imaging studies. After all this is done, the doctor decides if Laminectomy is to be carried out.

Procedure
What Laminectomy actually does is that it opens the spinal canal and provides room to the spinal nerves. It is primarily conducted alongside with Diskectomy and spinal fusion. Anesthesia is given to the patients so that there is no sense of pain.

* The patient lies on the operating table with his face down. In the meantime, the surgeon makes a slit in the middle of the patient's back.
* Ligaments, skin as well as muscles are moved to a particular side. A surgical microscope is also used at times to see through the back.
* Lamina bones are removed from the spinal column.
* Small disk fragments, soft tissues or any bone spurs present are removed by the surgeon.
* To ascertain that the spine is stable, once operation is over; the surgeons perform spinal fusion.
* The procedure takes around 1 to 3 hours to get completed.

Once the surgery is over, the patient is required to stay in hospital for 4 days. To maintain the alignment, the repaired spine must be kept straight in the right position. The patients are usually taught, the way they should move, sit, stand as well as walk. They are recommended to use log-rolling technique at the time they get out of the bed. Besides, food is given to them through an IV. Lastly, the patient is suggested to wear a cast at the time they leave the hospital.

Risks associated with Laminectomy

* Infectious vertebral bones or wounds
* Damaged spinal nerves that can cause pain, weakness, or a loss of sensation
* Problem with bladder or bowel movement

So, now when you know all about the process of Laminectomy, getting it done would not be that tough.