If you’re suffering from chronic and severe low back pain, a laminectomy may provide the relief you’re longing for. The doctors at South Texas Spinal Clinic have extensive experience with this surgical procedure, which removes the source of your nerve irritation. If you’ve tried everything else and your pain persists, explore this option with an expert spine specialist. To get started, call the San Antonio or South Texas office nearest you or schedule an appointment using the convenient online booking tool.
In total, you have 33 vertebrae, and five of those make up your lumbar spine or lower back. While the numbers would suggest that this small area wouldn’t have a large impact on the function of your overall spine, quite the opposite is true.
The vertebrae that make up your lumbar spine are the largest, and they’re responsible for the entire weight of your upper body. To help with this, you have discs between each of your vertebra, which act as cushions and shock absorbers between the bones.
Because your lumbar spine provides the lion’s share of support for your upper body, it’s prone to injury and problems, including:
Not only is your spine made up of vertebrae and discs, but there’s also an entire network of nerves that runs throughout, as well as supporting soft tissue. When any of these components break down, pressure on the nearby nerves results, which can cause a great deal of pain.
The goal of a laminectomy is to relieve the pressure on your nerves. To do this, the doctors at South Texas Spinal Clinic remove a piece of your lamina, which is the part of your vertebra that arches, forming the roof of your spinal canal.
Once this is removed, the doctor can see the area and locate the source of your nerve compression. This is usually:
The doctor removes what’s necessary of the problem to free up your nerve, allowing it space to heal.
The doctors at South Texas Spinal Clinic make every effort to use minimally invasive options to relieve your pain. Still, any surgery means your body needs time to heal correctly.
Every patient is different, but you can expect to limit your movements for six weeks, which means no lifting or twisting. That said, you will still be mobile and able to walk after the procedure.
If your life is severely affected by low back pain, call South Texas Spinal Clinic to see if a laminectomy might help. Or, use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.
