If you are suffering with spinal stenosis caused by a slip and fall or a car accident, pain medication, steroid injections, or physical therapy may not be enough to manage the throbbing lower back pain and numbness in the legs. Like many patients with spinal stenosis, you could find yourself walking less and limiting your day-to-day activities because it is too much of a challenge.
Three Types of Surgery for Spinal Stenosis
When other treatments are not working, an accident victim may need to consider surgery for spinal stenosis. The goal of the surgery would be to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord by expanding space within the spinal cord—hopefully reducing the pain and making walking easier. Common surgery options include:
Laminectomy.
The back part (lamina) of the affected vertebra is removed and, if necessary, the vertebra is linked to adjoining vertebrae with metal hardware and a bone graft to increase the spine’s strength.
Laminotomy.
In this surgery, only a portion of the back of the vertebra is removed, often by carving a hole to relieve the pressure.
Laminoplasty.
This surgery is only performed if the spinal stenosis is in the patient’s neck area. A hinge is created at the back of the damaged vertebra to open the space within the spinal canal, and metal hardware is used to bridge the gap in the opened area of the spine.
While surgery can improve the symptoms of spinal stenosis, some people find it gives them little relief from the pain or even worsens their symptoms. In addition, as with other spinal surgeries, the operation risks creating new problems such as nerve injury or structural instability in the spine that could require additional surgery.
Have You Been Injured In A Henderson Or Las Vegas Accident?
If you've been injured in an accident you need to speak with an personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Henderson office directly at 702.405.6000 to schedule a free initial consultation.