Some spine conditions may place pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This pressure or compression may lead to limb weakness, numbness, pain, and loss of balance. If it’s not treated, it can lead to permanent nerve damage. Spine surgery is often needed. Laminectomy and laminotomy are types of spinal surgeries performed to relieve dysfunction and pain.
Laminectomy and laminotomy are two different forms of spinal decompression procedures that involve the surgeon accessing the spinal lamina. Your lamina is a bony plate covering the back of your spinal canal. A laminectomy is a surgery where the lamina is removed completely, whereas a laminotomy is only the partial removal of the lamina. Our NJ Spine & Orthopedic specialists will evaluate your medical records to determine which procedure to use to help alleviate your symptoms.
Spinal Disorders That Can Be Treated With a Laminectomy or Laminotomy
While laminotomy and laminectomy are two different techniques, the purpose is the same — to relieve compression by adding space around the spinal cord. This compression of your spine and surrounding nerves may be very painful and cause numbness, tingling sensations, and weakness. An experienced spinal surgeon might perform a laminotomy or laminectomy for the following spinal conditions:
- Sciatica
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylosis
If you’ve received a diagnosis for any one of these disorders, meeting with a skilled spinal surgeon will provide you with peace of mind knowing you’re getting a correct diagnosis and reviewing your treatment options moving forward.
What to Expect With a Laminotomy or Laminectomy
During a laminotomy procedure, the surgeon creates a hole in your lamina and removes a small part of the bone. During a laminectomy, the surgeon removes most or all of the bone.
A laminectomy is a common surgery spinal surgeons perform to treat spinal stenosis. When correctly performed, this technique corresponds with the improvement of symptoms and speedier recovery. Many spinal surgeons prefer laminotomy procedures over laminectomy procedures when possible, as they require smaller incisions and do less damage to the muscles around the bone. Both a laminotomy or laminectomy can restore function and relieve pain. It’s essential to speak with a trained spine specialist about which surgery is right for your spinal condition.
Procedures Performed Together With Laminectomy and Laminotomy
Depending on your spinal symptoms, your surgeon may also perform different types of procedures in addition to a laminectomy or laminotomy, such as:
Foraminotomy
Similar to a laminectomy and laminotomy, a foraminotomy does involve decompressing spinal structures. However, instead of the surgeon removing all or part of the bone, they’ll access the area through the foramen of the spine. The foramen is essentially a path in which nerves run through on both sides of each spinal disc.
Spinal Fusion
The surgeon will frequently perform fusion after decompression surgeries with spinal implants, since the space that was left after removing the structures of the spine might cause spinal instability. The implants will help to eliminate this instability.
Discectomy
This is a standard procedure surgeons use to decompress a herniated disc through the removal of part or all of the affected disc.
Call Our Skilled Spinal Surgeons Today to Learn About Laminotomy or Laminectomy
NJ Spine & Orthopedic provides specialized spine and orthopedic services. Our professional team delivers comprehensive care to combat our patients’ specific health concerns. If you’re struggling with a spinal condition that’s causing you pain, reach out to our skilled spinal surgeons to learn more about the different treatment options available, including a laminotomy or laminectomy.
We believe in quality care at NJ Spine & Orthopedic. We have a highly qualified team of board-certified surgeons and an exceptional medical team here that’s dedicated to providing you with a host of services delivered in a safe and comfortable setting. Call us today at (866) 553-0612 or fill out our online form to set up an appointment with an experienced spinal surgeon today.