Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Surgery
Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the lumbar spinal column, from L1 to L5, in the lower back.
Although normal wear-and-tear through aging can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal, there are many more causes of spinal stenosis. No matter the cause, patients will often suffer from various symptoms, including:
- Leg pain (sciatica)
- Pain, numbness and weakness in the lower extremities
- Difficulty standing and walking
- Back pain
If you have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, non-surgical methods can provide pain relief and restore function. Conservative treatment may include a combination of medication, spinal manipulation, exercise plans, hot/cold therapy, pain management, etc. However, these methods will not improve the narrowing of the spine. Eventually, the patient may find that these treatments no longer relieve their symptoms.
When is Lumbar Spine Surgery Necessary
Lumbar decompression surgery may be considered for several reasons. If conservative lumbar spinal stenosis treatments are no longer effective, surgery may be a viable option. Surgery may also be necessary if the pain is debilitating, prevents the patient from carrying out their daily activities (such as putting on clothing /shoes, rolling over in bed or bending to pick up items on the floor) and/or interferes with their work.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Surgery Options
The primary goal of spinal stenosis surgery is to decompress the spine and provide additional space for the spinal cord and nerves to pass through. After surgery, pain, inflammation, and numbness experienced in the lower extremities and back should subside.
The Bonati Spine Institute’s patented lumbar spinal stenosis surgery is performed under local anesthesia and IV sedation. The goal of each procedure is to relieve the pain and resolve the underlying cause of the problem.
The Bonati Spine Procedures offer an array of surgical techniques to treat lumbar spinal stenosis. These procedures may include:
Lumbar Laminectomy/Laminotomy
A laminectomy/laminotomy is a surgical procedure performed to treat spinal stenosis. The surgery is designed to relieve pressure on (decompress) the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots through the widening of the spinal canal. The procedure is carried out by removing or trimming part of the lamina (roof) of the vertebrae in the compressed area. The removal of part of the lamina creates an opening for the compressed nerves, relieving pressure on the nerve roots and reducing inflammation. The partial removal of the lamina may also allow the surgeon to remove any bone spurs or damaged tissue causing pain and inflammation in the patient.
Lumbar Foraminotomy/Foraminectomy
A foraminotomy/foraminectomy is a decompression surgery performed in order to increase the space of the foramen and hollow out the passageway where the nerve roots exit the spinal canal. The procedure involves the removal of bone or tissue that obstructs the neuroforamen and compresses the nerve roots leading to inflammation and radiating pain. The removal of part of the lamina is often necessary for the surgeon to gain access to the affected nerve roots in the neuroforamen. For this reason, the foraminotomy is often performed in conjunction with a laminectomy or laminotomy.
Success Rates of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Surgery
With the high failure rate of traditional open spine surgery, and spinal fusions coupled with their invasive nature, high cost, and long and painful recovery, it was not uncommon in the past that people in need of spine surgery wait, or even avoid, surgical treatment. The Bonati Spine Procedures have revolutionized spinal care. This evolution in spine surgery has changed the equation, to the point that you should not learn to live with the pain but rather address those problems as soon as necessary so you can live your life to the fullest. With 98.75% patient satisfaction rate, the patented Bonati Spine Procedures have made lengthy, painful, partial recovery after lumbar spine surgery a thing of the past.