Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy

Among the most serious long-term effects of Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy are infections, pain, muscle weakness, and reduced mobility. Fortunately, some of these problems can be alleviated through surgery and other treatments.

Pain

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy Having a laminectomy performed can be a relief for chronic back pain. However, there are a few risks to this procedure.

These risks include infection, urinary problems, and muscle spasms. In order to decrease the risk of complications, it is important to make sure that you are aware of these potential issues before you undergo this surgery.

When having a laminectomy, you may receive strong pain medication and have a catheter placed in your bladder. Your surgeon will provide you with a list of medications and explain the procedures you can expect to go through.

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy  The recovery period for a laminectomy will vary from person to person. Some people may be able to return to work within a few weeks. Others may need to stay off the job for several months.

Numbness

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy Depending on the type of surgery you have, numbness after lumbar laminectomy may be a normal occurrence or one that requires emergency treatment. This numbness can cause other complications, such as bowel control problems and difficulty walking. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent nerve damage.

There are several things you can do to prevent numbness after spine surgery. These include avoiding contact sports until your surgeon says you are able to participate. You can also limit your exercise to gentle stretching and stabilization exercises. You can take anti-inflammatory medications and use pain relief medication.

If you do have numbness after surgery, it may last weeks or months. You can try to control it by taking medication and resting. You should also notify your doctor if it gets worse.

Muscle weakness

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy  During back surgery, nerve damage occurs in about one in a thousand patients. The pain, numbness, and muscle weakness that develops can be permanent. The best treatment is conservative, which includes adequate analgesia and advice to continue a normal lifestyle.

In a lumbar decompression operation, the bony lamina is removed, allowing space for the spinal cord to pass through. This relieves pressure on the nerves. The surgery is performed to treat symptoms related to a herniated disc. It can help patients with leg pain and numbness.

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy  The risk of complications during a lumbar decompression procedure is low, but they may occur. Blood clots can form in the legs, which can be life-threatening. During surgery, a surgeon will check for problems. Some of these problems can be treated with antibiotics. Others may require inpatient rehabilitation.

Infections

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy  Surgical site infection is a major complication following lumbar laminectomy and instrumented fusion. Fortunately, most infections are successfully treated.

However, some patients may have to undergo additional surgeries. There are a number of factors that increase the risk of infection after surgery. These include use of allografts, blood transfusions, greater number of levels operated, and increased soft tissue dissection.

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy Infection after spinal surgery is caused by a variety of organisms. The most common is Staphylococcus aureus. The organism is frequently found on the skin, respiratory tract, and nasal cavity.

It has been found that debridement and suction/irrigation of the surgical wound is an effective method of treating postoperative infections. In addition, antibiotic impregnated beads are used during irrigation procedures.

Spinal fusion

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy  Several factors are thought to contribute to long-term clinical outcomes of spinal fusion. These include the patient’s age, general health, and physical condition. In addition, the physician’s surgical procedures may play a role.

One study, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery, compared the long-term outcomes of two types of spinal fusion surgery. It enrolled 66 patients randomly assigned to a laminectomy or instrumented posterolateral spinal fusion (IPSF) procedure. The primary outcome was the change in SF-36 physical component summary score after two years. The secondary outcome was reoperation rate. Reoperation was less common in the fusion group than in the decompression-alone group.

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy

During surgery, bone graft is placed between the spine vertebrae. Some surgeons use synthetic material to accelerate the process. The graft may be harvested from the pelvis or ribs.

Recovery time

Long-Term Effects of Lumbar Laminectomy Depending on your age, general health, and other factors, the recovery time after lumbar laminectomy can be anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. However, most people are able to return to their daily activities within a few weeks.

There are some things you should do to speed up the process. First, you should be sure to drink at least half a gallon of water per day. You may also want to start a physical therapy program to rehabilitate your muscles.

You should also avoid awkward twisting or lifting heavy objects. You can resume light work and driving after a couple of weeks. But, contact sports and other physical activities should be avoided for a few months.