Surgery for your back pain? Let's learn everything about laminectomy!

Does your back pain not go away no matter how much medication you take? Sometimes this pain goes down your legs, and your legs feel like they are going numb? If this pain is bothering you to the point where you can't even do your daily tasks properly, your doctor may have talked to you about a surgery called a laminectomy. The name may sound a little scary, but it is a very common surgery. So today, let's find answers to all your questions about this, just like talking to a friend.

What is a laminectomy? Simply put...

Imagine that the spinal cord and the nerves that come out of it are like cars on a busy road. The buildings on both sides of the road (i.e., the spine) are blocking the road, creating a traffic jam. Laminectomy surgery is like widening the road.

To be precise, during this surgery, the doctor removes a small piece of bone called the 'lamina' at the back of one of your vertebrae. This widens the space (spinal canal) where the spinal cord and nerves are. This frees up the nerves that were pinched and compressed. This is what reduces the pain and numbness in your back and legs.

Why do you need a Laminectomy?

Doctors usually don't immediately resort to surgery. They first try things like physical therapy and painkillers. But only if those things don't control your symptoms will they consider surgery.

In most cases, the main cause of this is a condition called spinal stenosis . As we age, the cartilage between our vertebrae wears away, and sometimes extra bone spurs form. This causes the passageway for the spinal cord to gradually narrow. This narrowing causes the nerves to become compressed.

Spinal stenosis can cause symptoms like:

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Severe back pain
• Weakness in the limbs
• Tingling in the legs
• Some people have difficulty controlling their bowels and urine.

How should you prepare before surgery?

Before surgery, your doctor will give you clear instructions on what to do. It is very important to follow these instructions exactly.

Doctor's advice

• Get tested: You may need new test reports, such as X-rays and MRIs, to clearly assess the condition of your back.
• Stop some medications: Some medications you take (even painkillers and vitamins) can interfere with the surgery and your recovery. So tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking. Stop taking them for a few days as directed.
• Avoid smoking: If you are a smoker, it is very important to quit before surgery. Smoking can cause complications after surgery and delay wound healing.
• Prepare household chores in advance: You will need to rest for a while after the surgery. So, buy the necessary household items in advance. Talk to family and friends and arrange for someone to help you.

On the day of surgery...

• Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
• Remove all jewelry, such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, and leave them at home.
• Take your insurance card, ID card, etc. with you.
• After the surgery, you will be accompanied by someone to take you home and take care of you.

What happens during the surgery?

This surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This means you won't feel any pain and you'll be completely asleep.

1. Anesthesia: The anesthesiologist will put a mask over your face and give you anesthetic gas. He or she may also give you medication intravenously. You will fall asleep within a few breaths. A team of specialists will monitor your heart rate and breathing throughout the surgery.

2. Surgery:

• You are turned face down and made to lie down with your back up.
• The doctor performing the surgery makes a small incision in the skin over the painful area.
• Then, the muscles and tissues are slowly pushed aside to expose the spine.
• Now comes the important part. Any extra bone fragments, bone spurs, or ligaments that are pinching the nerves are carefully cut out and removed.
• Sometimes, this surgery can be combined with other procedures. For example, if there is spinal instability, a spinal fusion surgery can be performed, which joins two vertebrae together. Or a diskectomy can be performed, which removes a herniated disk.

A laminectomy usually takes between 1 and 3 hours. However, if the condition is complicated, it can take longer. At the end of the surgery, the incision is closed with stitches or staples. After that, you will be turned upside down and woken up from the anesthesia.

What happens after the surgery?

At the hospital...

After you wake up, you will be taken to a post-op ward, where the nursing staff will take good care of you.

• You may feel a little sluggish: You may feel a little groggy or sleepy for a few hours after waking up. This is normal.
• You may feel some pain: It is normal to feel some pain at the site of the surgery. You will be given painkillers for this.
• You will start walking: Depending on the nature of the surgery, you will be asked to get up and walk around a bit with the help of a nurse that evening or the next day. This is very important because walking improves blood circulation and can prevent blood clots in your legs.
• Physical therapy: Your doctor will refer you to a physiotherapist. He or she will teach you exercises to do slowly.

After coming home...

• Do not drive for 1-2 weeks.
• Avoid bending forward or lifting heavy objects for a few weeks.
• Keep the wound clean and dry . It's difficult to apply medication to a back injury on your own, so ask a family member for help.
• Ask your doctor about how to bathe.
• The stitches or staples can be removed in about two weeks. Do not attempt to remove them yourself .
• Avoid long flights and car rides for a while. If necessary, get up and walk around every hour.

What are the possible risks of this surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some risks. But these are rare. Your doctor will explain these to you in advance.

What if there is still pain after surgery? Post-Laminectomy Syndrome

Sometimes, very rarely, the pain does not subside as expected after surgery. Sometimes new symptoms may appear. This condition is called Post-Laminectomy Syndrome .

If you experience this, it is very important to tell your doctor immediately . The cause can be found and appropriate treatment (such as special exercises, medications, injections, etc.) can be initiated. Don't worry, there are solutions to everything.