Hi everyone!!
I wanted to ask about a laminectomy--I have a herniated disc at l5 S1 that is pressing on my nerve root causing severe pain in my butt, leg, foot, toes, knee, etc....My ankle when I am walking tends to just give out for no reason at all--I have slightly sprained it at least 8 times in the last year---it like I'm walking along and all of a sudden BAM there's no ankle there and I'm on the f-ing fround!! (sorry--i am very frustrated!!) I am about to have my 3rd steroid injection--the 1st two got rid of the pain very well but it only lasted about 2 days if that--I went to P.T for the 2nd time last night, but all they do is the electro stim, ultrasound masage and last night he had me do some stretches that KILLED me!! I take percocet 5/325 for the pain (up to 8 daily!!) but the pain is so far deep into my bones that just keeps the edge off--
based on this history would you have the surgery??
The neurosurgeon said that I would be in hospital for only a day, but didn't go into afterwords since that visit was not a "surgical" consult---just a consult for the brain and c-spine MRI--c-spine has NO curve to it and I have a small cyst on my brain that isn't bothering anything (so he says) to top all this off!!
After a laminectomy do I have to stay off work?? Is this a surgery that would require "no sitting" afterwords?? Please respond I am just at my wits end!!
I wish sometimes I would just get in an accident and die for Christ's sake!! Death seems more peaceful than this pitiful existence!!!

Thank you!!
Karen in Colorado

Hi Karen, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I'm sorry that you are looking at surgery, but I wish you well http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

Here is some info on laminectomy, there are tons of articles online, but here is a brief outline:

Lumbar laminectomy (open decompression)
Similar to a microdecompression, a lumbar laminectomy (open decompression) is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by neural impingement. The surgery is designed to remove a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root to give the nerve root more space and a better healing environment.

A laminectomy is effective to decrease pain and improve function for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a condition that primarily afflicts elderly patients, and is caused by degenerative changes that result in enlargement of the facet joints. The enlarged joints then place pressure on the nerves, and this pressure may be effectively relieved with a lumbar laminectomy.

Surgical procedure
The laminectomy (open decompression) differs from a microdiscectomy in that the incision is longer and there is more muscle stripping.

First, the back is approached through a two-inch to five-inch long incision in the midline of the back and the left and right back muscles (erector spinae) are dissected off the lamina on both sides and at multiple levels (see Figure 2).
After the spine is approached, the lamina is removed (laminectomy) which allows visualization of the nerve roots.
The facet joints, which are directly over the nerve roots, may then be undercut (trimmed) to give the nerve roots more room.
Post-operatively, patients are in the hospital for one to three days, and the individual patient’s mobilization (return to normal activity) is largely dependent on his/her pre-operative condition and age. Directly following the procedure, patients are encouraged to walk. However, it is recommended that patients avoid excessive bending, lifting or twisting for six weeks in order to avoid pulling on the suture line before it heals.

The success rate of a laminectomy surgery is favorable. Following surgery, approximately 70% to 80% of patients will have significant improvement in their function (ability to perform normal daily activities) and markedly reduced level of pain and discomfort. The surgical results are much better for relief of leg pain caused by spinal stenosis, and not nearly as reliable for relief of lower back pain.

Unfortunately, the symptoms may recur after several years as the degenerative process that originally produced the spinal stenosis continues.

Risks and potential complications with a laminectomy procedure are largely the same as for a microdiscectomy and include dural tear (cerebrospinal fluid leak), nerve root damage, bowel/bladder incontinence, bleeding, or infection.

In addition, lumbar laminectomy carries a few added potential complications because it is a larger procedure, and greater proportions of elderly patients have this procedure. Post-operatively, there is also the added risk of a slipped vertebral body (postlaminectomy spondylolisthesis) if the remaining bones are not strong enough to support the spine.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif

Be Well,
Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif


------------------
Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

Baxter-thank you for the information--I will look online for some info as well--I didn't mean to sound so harsh in my 1st post, and I really don't want to die--just be rid of this horrible problem--I hate it--plus to top it all off I have to deal with a husband who thinks all of this is made up and I just want attention! I told him how bad I am today and he just said "well you won't do anything else so sign up to get cut open!" I don't know what else to do--I am going to P.T., on a low cal diet to loose weight--we go to the city indoor pool and I swim at least 2x a week--having the injections--what else can I do?? I am just frustrated with the whole thing--
again thank you, Baxter, for caring enough to reply! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Karen in Colorado

Karen. Your husband just doesn't know the pain you are in. You have no outward physical signs, like bleeding or a cast, so it is hard for people to understand your feelings. I know I have had friends who say they understand, and then their backs give out on them (strain, pinched nerve) and call me up later and say I am sooo sorry for the pain you are in. So hang in there.

Make your husband go to the doctor with you next time and have the doctor explain to him what your going through, etc. It seemed to help me (or my husband I should say) when I took my husband with me just prior to my disectomy.

Good luck
Renee

[This message has been edited by ReneeRAF (edited 04-24-2003).]

Hi Karen, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I'm glad you found this place, at least we all understand and care about each other, that will be a great help for you.

You are doing the correct things right now, please don't let people bother you that try to downplay your pain, they have no clue until they walk in our shoes.
I get so sick of other people trying to compare my pain to theirs, I'm pretty tough, but back pain is pretty serious stuff, and it sure kicked my butt.

Your feelings are normal, I remember many days I just wished I was dead, at the time I meant it, but those feeling pass, hang in there, you are making the correct decisions, and please don't doubt yourself, you know your body and what is best for you.

Hang in there, relief is on the way http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

Please keep us posted http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

Be Well,
Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love2.gif

------------------
Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

[This message has been edited by BAXTER (edited 04-24-2003).]

Hi Shakaria,

I'm a bit confused. There are two similar words, Laminotomy and Laminectomy.

You say that you are considering a Laminectomy for relief of pain from nerve root compression due to a herniated disc??? This is strange. Laminectomy is a surgical procedure used to relieve pain from nerve root compression due to spinal stenosis. Like Baxter said.

It is a Laminotomy (performed to enable the surgeon to do a discectomy or microdiscectomy) that is used to relieve pain from nerve root compression due to a herniated disc.

Laminectomy (surgical procedure used to treat spinal stenosis) has a significantly lower success rate and longer recovery period than Laminotomy (surgical procedure used to treat herniated discs).

Which procedure is the one whose recovery period you want to know about?

HNP