| Lumbar decompression refers to a group of surgical | | | | variations of this surgery that can be tailored to the |
| procedures whose primary goals are to provide pain | | | | needs of the individual patient. |
| relief and bone stability in those who have suffered | | | | More recently, lumbar decompression has been |
| injury or disease involving the lumbar portion of the | | | | accomplished by what are known as minimally |
| spine. | | | | invasive surgeries. These procedures seek to relieve |
| The lumbar spine consists of five individual vertebra | | | | pain by directly focusing on the small areas that are |
| and begins at the last vertebra that is attached to a | | | | responsible for the patients symptoms. A special |
| rib and ends at the top of the pelvis. Between each | | | | instrument called an endoscope is used to visualize |
| vertebra is a structure that serves as a "shock | | | | the area responsible for the patient's symptoms and |
| absorber" called an intervertebral disc, or simply a | | | | the necessary surgery, including the insertion of |
| disc. The disc also provides a space between the | | | | screws or plates, is done "through the 'scope." |
| vertebra where the spinal nerves emerge before | | | | Minimally invasive procedures include: |
| branching out into other areas of the body. | | | | -mini-laminectomy: only the portion of the disc that is |
| Due to its location and the fact that we humans walk | | | | directly compressing the nerve is removed via a small |
| upright, the lumbar spine is subjected to considerable | | | | incision in the back |
| stress and strain throughout our lives. In many cases | | | | -chemical laminectomy: a special chemical compound is |
| the lumbar spine survives these stresses and strains | | | | injected directly into the disc causing the disc to |
| without problem by repairing itself. However, trauma | | | | "shrink" or dissolve |
| and disease may cause damage to a vertebra and/or | | | | -mini-fusion: similar to the traditional fusion operation |
| disc that the body is incapable of repairing. In these | | | | but done through an endoscope and using smaller |
| cases lumbar decompression surgery may be | | | | hardware |
| necessary. | | | | Some cases of lumbar disease are due to damage to |
| In many cases of lumbar spine disease the spinal | | | | the vertebra itself. The "collapsing" vertebra |
| nerve is compressed between two vertebra. It is this | | | | commonly seen in osteoporosis and the lumbar |
| compression that causes the symptoms of spinal | | | | compression fractures seen in professional truck |
| disease such as pain or loss of sensation in the legs. | | | | drivers are particular examples of these conditions. |
| Surgical treatment of lumbar spine disease is targeted | | | | These two conditions are now being treated with a |
| at relieving this compression and preventing its | | | | procedure known as vertebroplasty. |
| recurrence. | | | | In vertebroplasty a special "bone cement" is injected |
| Traditional lumbar decompression surgery usually | | | | directly into the veretbra itself to prevent further |
| involves removal of tall or part of he disc and the | | | | collapse. This is usually done after other corrective |
| insertion of a piece of bone to stabilize the position | | | | procedures such as laminectomy or fusion have been |
| of the vertebra. Occasionally "hardware" such as | | | | completed. Many patients report a dramatic decrease |
| screws or metal rods will be necessary to fully | | | | in pain following vertebroplasty. |
| stabilize the spine. This is known as lumbar | | | | Further information on lumbar decompression is |
| laminectomy and spinal fusion. There are a number of | | | | available from your personal health care provider. |