Lumbar decompression surgery is a type of surgery used to treat compressed nerves in the lower (lumbar) spine. It is only recommended when non-surgical treatments have not solved the problem.
Surgery is aimed at improving symptoms such as persistent pain and numbness in the legs caused by pressure on the nerves. It is usually performed for spinal stenosis or various other conditions causing nerve entrapment
When is lumbar decompression indicated?
Lumbar decompression surgery is often used to treat:
–Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of a section of the spine, putting pressure on the inner nerves.
–A slipped disc and sciatica: Where a damaged spinal disc presses on an underlying nerve.
-Injuries in the spine: Such as a fracture or tissue swelling.
–Metastatic spinal cord compression – cancer in a part of the body, such as the lungs or breast can spread to the spine and put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
What happens during lumbar decompression surgery?
If lumbar decompression surgery is recommended, you will generally have at least one of the following procedures:
Foraminotomy : Small opening made to remove a small part of bone or tissue that is compressing the nerves. Usually performed through keyhole surgery.
Laminectomy: In which a section of bone is removed from one of your vertebrae (spinal bones) to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.
Discectomy: Where a section of a damaged disc is removed to relieve pressure on a nerve.
Spinal fusion: Where two or more vertebrae meet with a section of bone to stabilize and strengthen the spine.
In many cases, a combination of these techniques can be used. The entire surgery usually takes at least an hour, but it can take much longer, depending on the complexity of the procedure.
The Operation is performed as a day case procedure where a patient has the operation and walk
s out on the same day.
Risks
Although lumbar decompression is often successful, like all types of surgery, it carries a small risk of complications. Complications associated with lumbar decompression surgery include:
-Infection at the site of the operation, or in rare cases an infection elsewhere.
-A blood clot that develops in one of your leg veins, known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT); in rare cases, the clot can travel and travel to the lungs, causing a serious problem called pulmonary embolism.
-Damage to the spinal nerves, resulting in continuous symptoms, numbness or weakness in one or both legs.
You might also want to read: Day Case Lumbar Fusion Surgery
About day case surgery
Harley Street Hospital is one of the few centres that offer day case lumbar decompression surgery. This innovative approach offers multiple benefits for the patient such as:
-No need to be hospitalised. You can return back home the same day.
-We use local instead of general anaesthesia, avoiding complications.
-Lower infection rates.
-We use innovative equipment in our surgeries.
-We have a highly qualified team of surgeons and nurses to ensure the best results.
-Day case surgery is cheaper than those requiring an overnight stay.
-Fewer post-surgery complications.
Book an appointment to get a checkup.
What is lumbar decompression surgery?
Lumbar decompression surgery is a type of surgery used to treat compressed nerves in the lower (lumbar) spine. It is only recommended when non-surgical treatments have not solved the problem.
When is lumbar decompression indicated?
Lumbar decompression surgery is often used to treat spinal stenosis, a slipped disc and sciatica, injuries in the spine and metastatic spinal cord compression.
What happens during lumbar decompression surgery?
If lumbar decompression surgery is recommended, you will generally have at least one of the following procedures: foraminotomy, laminectomy, discectomy or spinal fusion. The procedure involves shaving a small part of bone or tissue under sedation to free up the trapped nerves.