Laminectomy for Spinal Tumors: Removing Growth and Restoring Spine Stability
The goal of a laminectomy, and other minimally invasive spine surgery, is to stabilize the spinal bones and joints and relieve pressure on the spinal nerves, which has resulted from spinal instability, bone spurs, herniated discs, or mass lesions such as spinal tumors.
What is a Laminectomy?
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure and a common type of spinal surgery. The procedure may be performed at any level of the spine, depending on the source of compression. The spine surgeon removes a small portion of bone (lamina) from the spine to enlarge the spinal canal. This surgery is often applied in the lower spine (lumbar laminectomy), but may also be needed in the middle of the back (thoracic laminectomy) or in the neck (cervical laminectomy).
The removal of the lamina releases the pressure on compressed nerves or the spinal cord that may be caused by degenerative spinal stenosis, herniated discs, hypertrophied ligaments, tumors, or traumatic lesions.
Why is a Laminectomy Needed?
A laminectomy is performed when there is significant pressure on the spinal nerves or the spinal cord that is causing neurological symptoms such as radiculopathy, myelopathy, or motor weakness. Sometimes a laminectomy is performed in addition to spinal stabilization and fusion. This is often the case in tumor resections where structural integrity of the spine may be compromised.Laminectomy may be required to access and resect intradural or extradural spinal tumors.
If you are experiencing persistent back pain, it is important to seek an early diagnosis, particularly if accompanied by leg pain, numbness, or weakness, as these could be signs of nerve compression. You may be suffering from stenosis. If so, the longer you wait for treatment, the worse your condition will get.
If you are booked for a Laminectomy and are looking for more information, try some of these additional resources:
How Common is a Laminectomy? Is a Laminectomy a High-Risk Surgery?
Laminectomy surgery is a common type of spine surgery and it is also one of the most common types of surgery to effectively treat spinal stenosis. Your physician may consider a laminectomy after other non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy and medications have been tried.
Generally, a laminectomy is a safe procedure, but with any surgery complications may occur. These may include infection, bleeding, nerve injury, or spinal instability.
Understanding the Success Rate of Laminectomy. What are the benefits of a Laminectomy?
Success rates vary depending on the underlying pathology, but patients with isolated stenosis often experience significant relief.
Other benefits may include:
- Increased mobility
- Reduced pain and numbness
- Improved quality of life
- Enhanced ability to perform daily activities without neurologic limitations.
Laminectomy Surgery in New Jersey
Consistent low back and neck pain can significantly impact the way you experience life. If no other non-surgical treatments have been effective in treating your condition, a laminectomy may be the best option to provide relief and lead to a better quality of life, particularly if your symptoms are due to spinal stenosis or a mass lesion compressing neural elements.Most patients return to normal activity levels after a period of guided postoperative recovery.
Consult with the experts at New Jersey Brain and Spine’s Comprehensive Spine Center. Our multispecialty team of experts, including Dr. Khan and Dr. Roth, have helped patients return to their normal, active lives. See the Comprehensive Spine specialists talk about their approach.
If you are experiencing back pain, contact one of our experienced physicians today. For more than 25 years, we have delivered highly-skilled care to more than 40,000 patients with complex brain, spine and neurological conditions. Our team specializes in both minimally invasive and complex spinal surgeries tailored to your condition.
We treat each patient as if they were a member of our own family, delivering highly personalized care to help you get back to your best quality of life.
