When is it Time for a Laminectomy Procedure?
Most laminectomies are performed to treat spinal stenosis. While some people are born with narrow spinal canals, the most common causes of spinal stenosis include herniated discs and osteoarthritis.If a spinal disc herniates, some fluid can leak into the spinal canal and put pressure on the nearby nerves. The symptoms of a herniated disc include neurological symptoms such as tingling and numbness in the arms, legs, hands, or feet. You might also have back or neck pain.
As we age, osteoarthritis can develop in the spine, resulting in bone spurs (osteophytes). Eventually, these bony protrusions may compress nerves in the spinal canal, resulting in pain and other neurological symptoms that radiate into the extremities. This occurs most commonly in the lumbar (lower) spine, but it may occur in other areas of the spine also.
That being said, laminectomy is not just a lumbar surgery. A laminectomy can also be performed in regions of the spine other than the lumbar area (lower back), such as the cervical spine (neck area). This would be called cervical laminectomy.
For many people, spinal stenosis can be successfully managed without surgery. However, in severe cases, Dr. Baig may feel that a lumbar laminectomy is the best treatment option. Even if laminectomy winds up not being the right option, pressure on the nerves that won’t go away usually indicates a need for further medical evaluation.
A laminectomy may be indicated when:
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Physical therapy, medication, chiropractic adjustments and epidural injections are no longer enough to manage spinal stenosis symptoms.
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Muscle numbness and/or weakness in the legs stops you from being able to stand or walk.
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Nerve compression in the spine begins to affect bowel or bladder function.
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Surgery for a herniated disc requires the lamina to be removed as well.
DR. BAIG WILL ONLY PERFORM LAMINECTOMY SURGERY IF HE IS CERTAIN THAT IT WILL HELP RELIEVE YOUR SYMPTOMS AND RESTORE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
NOT ALL PATIENTS WITH SPINAL STENOSIS ARE SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR LAMINECTOMY SURGERY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY SURGERY IN PHOENIX,
What Conditions Can Lumbar Laminectomy Help Treat?
In addition to spinal stenosis, lumbar laminectomy can also address radiating leg pain, numbness or weakness, or other symptoms associated with these conditions:
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Degenerative disc disease
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Herniated or bulging discs
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Bone spurs (osteophytes)
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Even spinal tumors or cysts
Is Lumbar Laminectomy a Major Back Surgery?
No. What’s more, at Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, Dr. Baig is trained in providing advanced minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy surgery as well as traditional lumbar laminectomy.
Benefits of Lumbar Laminectomy Surgery in AZ
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Relief from chronic leg and back pain
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Improved ability to stand, walk, or move without discomfort
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Resolution of numbness or tingling in the lower extremities
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Enhanced daily functioning and return to normal activities
What Happens During Lumbar Laminectomy Surgery?
You will be placed under general anesthesia for the procedure. Dr. Baig will make an incision in your back over the appropriate vertebra. Muscles are then moved aside to access the vertebra, and the lamina is surgically removed.
Dr. Baig is skilled in both traditional laminectomy and minimally invasive laminectomy. If disc damage is contributing to your symptoms, Dr. Baig may perform a discectomy at the same time. Before the surgery, Dr. Baig will discuss the procedure fully and answer any questions you may have about what’s involved.
The goal of lumbar laminectomy surgery is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and exiting nerves by enlarging the spinal canal. Our clinic is proud to offer some of the most advanced techniques for lumbar laminectomy surgery in Arizona.
What Happens After a Laminectomy?
Some healthy patients go home a few hours after laminectomy surgery. If you have other health conditions, a short hospital stay may be required. Most people can return to work or normal daily activities within a few weeks.
Dr. Baig will likely recommend physical therapy as a follow up to your surgery to help restore movement and mobility to your spinal structures and the surrounding musculature. Physiotherapy can also help with neurological symptoms.
MOST PEOPLE REPORT SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OF PAIN RADIATING INTO THE ARMS OR LEGS AFTER LAMINECTOMY SURGERY. HOWEVER, SYMPTOMS COULD RETURN IF OSTEOARTHRITIS CONTINUES TO CAUSE DEGENERATION IN OTHER AREAS OF THE SPINE.
Get maximum relief with minimal risk
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
SPINE PROCEDURES
ENDOSCOPIC
SPINE SURGERY
STEREOTACTIC
SPINE PROCEDURES
NON-SURGICAL
TREATMENT OPTIONS
How to Prepare for a Laminectomy
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Discuss all medications and health conditions with Dr. Baig
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Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure
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Set up your recovery space at home with essentials on one floor
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Follow all fasting and medication instructions the night before surgery
Reach Out to See How We Can Help Relieve Your Lower Back Pain
Ready for relief from lower back pain? Desert Spine can help, whether via cervical and lumbar laminectomy or other means. Get in touch now for a medical evaluation and get your life back!
SUCCESS STORIES
For an active 39 year old who participates in Jiujitsu, having a spinal fusion would not have been the right thing for her. We were able to get her back on the mat after a successful disc replacement and she is back living her life
NO MORE BACK PAIN!
For an active young mom, having a spinal fusion was out of the question.
She was back in the gym THE SAME DAY after she had an Endoscopic Decompression. Dr. Baig and is living life
PAIN FREE!
This personal trainer got a cervical disc replacement.
She was able to avoid a fusion, keep her her range of motion, and get back
into the gym
PAIN FREE!
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our patients who take the time to leave a review about their experience at our practice.
Your kind words and feedback are greatly appreciated by our entire team, and your review helps other patients make an informed decision about where to turn to for care.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with others. You are making a difference.
T.M. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig and his team are phenomenal. I had a compressed nerve due to a bulging disc and was able to be seen relatively quickly. Surgery was quick and flawless and I have no complaints at all. I truly appreciated how fast they worked to get me seen and out of all the pain I was in! Highly recommend them."
A.H. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig literally changed my life for the better. I had a severely pinched nerve in my neck and needed to get surgery. Immediately at my first consult I felt comfortable and in good hands. I even walked away with a smile on my face during that scary time.
Surgery day couldn’t have gone better. The team he had also had a great bedside manner and helped keep me calm.
After the surgery and in the recovery room, he came in and checked on me and made sure I was all good before releasing me."
S.D. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig was going to be my second opinion for an upcoming scheduled spinal surgery. After my appointment, he will be my surgeon. He gave me a lot of information that was lacking from my other doctors. I felt very comfortable with Dr Baig and his entire office staff. Looking forward to living pain free after we strengthen my bones. It’s going to be a permanent fix and not a bandaid."
Consult Our Back Surgeons in Phoenix
Back pain can often be a result of an accident, injury, or congenital conditions such as scoliosis. Certain forms of back pain can be a result of the natural aging process, including conditions such as disc protrusion and spinal stenosis.
Today, advancements in imaging, and non surgical techniques have led to more treatment options than ever before, allowing us to return our patients the life they once knew…usually without the need for invasive spine surgery.
Typically, back surgeons in Phoenix offer one type of help, even though there are many others available. When you work with Dr. Baig at the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, you can rest assured that everything is on the table when it comes to potential treatments that are accepted by the medical world.
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Conservative care you can trust, with multiple locations in the valley!
Just how ‘minimal’ is minimally invasive spine surgery?
Book your appointment today and we'll be happy to educate you!
As a top-rated spine specialist, Dr. Baig understands that this complicated part of the body can lead to many different problems, and each possibility will be considered before deciding on a treatment protocol.
Get answers, get help, get back to a better quality of life––schedule an appointment today.
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Lumbar Laminectomy Surgery in Arizona
During a lumbar laminectomy procedure, a spinal surgeon removes a section of vertebral bone to remove pressure on your spinal nerves. The procedure is often performed on patients with a history of spinal stenosis (who show signs of narrowing within the spinal canal).
CAN OFTEN BE MANAGED CONSERVATIVELY WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OTHER NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS. HOWEVER, WHEN THESE TREATMENTS FAIL AND YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE SIGNIFICANT, DR. BAIG MAY RECOMMEND A FORM OF SPINAL DECOMPRESSION SURGERY CALLED A LAMINECTOMY.
DR. BAIG WILL ONLY RECOMMEND LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY SURGERY IF IT IS THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU.
BOOK A CONSULTATION TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP.
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