Why You Needed Surgery

Why You Needed Surgery

Pain in your back or legs is often caused by damage to one or more disks in the lumbar spine. The disks act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. Injury, aging, or disease can wear down disks. Weak muscles can also lead to worn disks by allowing the three natural curves of your spine to get out of line. Disks that bulge, tear, or rupture can put pressure on nerves in the spine. Bony outgrowths (bone spurs) can also form and cause the passageways for the nerves to narrow (stenosis) and irritate the nerves.

Common Spinal Problems

Surgery for Spinal Problems

Sometimes surgery is required to correct one or more of these spinal problems, usually to relieve pressure on the nerves. Here are some of the most common types of lumbar surgery.

Laminotomy or Laminectomy

The surgeon removes part or all of the lamina (arch formed by the vertebrae) to relieve pressure on a nerve and to give access to a bone spur or damaged disk.

Diskectomy

The surgeon removes the part of a disk that's pressing on a nerve and causing pain.

Fusion

The surgeon stabilizes two vertebrae by joining them with bone grafts. Sometimes metal plates are used in addition to bone.

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