Chiropractor in Massapequa
If you are suffering from extreme back pain, it may be the result of bony overgrowths on your spine. When other conservative or non-invasive treatments have failed at providing you with symptom relief, a laminectomy may be necessary. Our spine specialist in Massapequa, Dr. Jeff Silber at Massapequa Pain Management & Rehabilitation, can determine if a laminectomy is the right procedure for you.
Do I Need A Laminectomy?
A laminectomy is a type of surgical treatment that creates space in the spinal canal. Narrowing of the spinal canal causes pressure on the spine and nerves resulting in severe back pain. This pain can even radiate throughout your limbs causing numbness and difficulty walking. The narrowing of the spinal canal is referred to as spinal stenosis and can be caused by:
- Bony overgrowths, possibly due to spinal arthritis
- Herniated disc
- Shrinking of the discs (usually due to old age)
- Traumatic injury
- Improper bone growth
The Laminectomy Procedure
The lamina is the part of the body that covers your spinal canal. By removing the lamina, it creates more space in the spinal canal, therefore relieving the pressure causing the pain. If there are bone spurs or disc fragments in the spinal canal, our spine specialist in Massapequa will remove those. The laminectomy procedure usually takes about 1-3 hours while you are under anesthesia. This is only performed when the pain is very severe, and other methods of treatment have failed.
Laminectomy Recovery
During recovery:
- Avoid heavy lifting or putting strain on your muscles
- Gradually increase your activity level such as walking or stretching
- Keep the incision area clean and sterile
- Schedule follow-up appointments
- Attend post-operative physical therapy sessions
At Massapequa Pain Management & Rehabilitation, we offer multidisciplinary care such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, pain management, and orthopedic care including spinal surgery. One of our specialists can determine which method of treatment will be the best for your situation and if a laminectomy is necessary. If you do undergo a laminectomy with our spine specialist in Massapequa, our physical therapists can help you rehabilitate as well. Make an appointment today!