Before having spinal decompression surgery, patients should have a general anesthesia. This ensures the patient is asleep during the procedure. Obtaining the necessary paperwork in advance of the procedure will help ease any stress and focus on recovery. Patients should also learn about the insurance coverage that is available for the procedure. It is also recommended that they consult with a healthcare insurance agent about their coverage. The procedure will be performed under general anesthesia, so patients should have no issues waking up in the recovery room.

Laminectomy

A laminectomy is a type of surgery that removes a portion of the spine. Surgical procedures are often performed to relieve spinal compression, which in turn reduces pain and reduces spinal degeneration. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. While you are unconscious during the procedure, your surgeon will make an incision over the affected vertebrae. Your surgeon will then move muscles away from the spine and use small instruments to remove the lamina. The size of the incision depends on the condition and your body size. Minimally invasive surgeries typically have smaller incisions than open procedures.

Recovery after a laminectomy is usually quick. However, it can be strenuous on the back. Generally, you should avoid heavy lifting for two to three months, and then slowly increase your activity level. Some physical therapy can help you strengthen muscles and reduce your pain. While a laminectomy can eliminate pain, the operation doesn’t correct the problem, so you might have to wait until six weeks after surgery to see if it helped you feel better.

Partially pediculectomy

A partial pediculectomy is a common form of spinal decompression surgery, which removes a small portion of the pedicle, the cylinder-shaped projection on the vertebral body that connects the back and front parts of a vertebra. Pedicles may become damaged or misaligned due to changes in the discs between vertebrae. When the pedicle slips, it places pressure on the nerve root and can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the parts of the body that are along its path.

The recovery time for this procedure depends on the type of surgery performed. Decompression surgery generally involves a shorter recovery time than spinal fusion. Following the procedure, patients are able to walk and usually return home the same day. Depending on their medical condition, they may be able to return to work within a few days. Patients should ensure that they follow all post-surgery instructions, such as a healthy diet and avoid smoking.

Foraminotomy

Foraminotomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to open the spinal root passage. The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin, peeling away a small layer of muscle to reveal the bone underneath. Then, he makes a small hole in the vertebra to visualize the foramen and remove any impinging bone or disc material. The procedure is usually complete within two to three weeks, but it can take up to six months.

In the majority of cases, this surgery is performed under general anesthesia. A tubular retractor is used to gain access to the affected area. Once access has been gained, the surgeon uses an endoscope and special instruments to gently remove a tiny portion of bone from the spinal column to reach the nerve root. Once this bone has been removed, the disc is then lifted, relieving pressure on the nerve root.

Partial facetectomy

Partial facetectomy is a surgical procedure that allows decompression of the lumbar nerve root foramen. It can be performed without fusion or instrumentation, but it is usually recommended if there is intraoperative instability and associated low back pain due to degenerative disc disease. There are several techniques for fusion, including instrumentation to open up the neuroforamen or change the natural lumbar lordosis.

The procedure is effective in treating foraminal stenosis and radicular symptoms. The procedure does not produce secondary spinal instability and is highly effective in treating the disease. The results show a sustained clinical improvement. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. The authors have no competing interest and have performed this surgery in a variety of clinical settings. This technique was also recently FDA-approved for treating patients with lumbar stenosis.