Laminectomy

A laminectomy or lumbar laminectomy reduces the pressure on the spinal nerves and the irritation and inflammation of the spinal nerves.

To perform a laminectomy, an incision is made down the center of the lower back and the muscles are moved to the side. Then an X-ray is taken to make sure the correct vertebrae have been selected.

Once this is determined, the lamina, the back side of the spinal canal, is removed. Removing the lamina provides more room for the nerves and allows the removal of bone spurs, alleviating the source of the pain.