South Texas Spinal Clinic is happy to WELCOME our newest provider  Dr. Joel I. Edionwe to our practice!  New patient appointments are availalbe at our SA North Central / Stone Oak office.
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Laminectomy Specialist

South Texas Spinal Clinic Our Services Laminectomy
South Texas Spinal Clinic - - Orthopedic Surgeon

South Texas Spinal Clinic

Orthopedic Surgeons and Physical Therapists Located in San Antonio and South Texas

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.

Laminectomy Q & A

What is the Lumbar Spine?

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.

What are the Most Common Problems in the Lumbar Spine?

Because your lumbar spine provides the lion’s share of support for your upper body, it’s prone to injury and problems, including:

  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Stenosis
  • Ruptured or herniated discs
  • Arthritis of the joints
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Acute injury

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.

What is a Laminectomy?

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:

  • A herniated disc
  • A bone spur
  • A disc fragment
  • A tumor (very rarely)

The doctor removes what’s necessary of the problem to free up your nerve, allowing it space to heal.

What is the Recovery Time After a Laminectomy?

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.

What we offer

Orthopedic Services