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Hi Tony,
I do agree that a neurosurgeon should be involved in any back surgery. The best-case scenario IMO is to have a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon present.
I'm curious, it sounds like you had a laminotomy, which is a removal of part of the vertebral arch, the lamina, in a vertebra. This is considered a minimally invasive surgery that makes room for nerves that traverse the spinal canal. I had this done at S1, L5, and L4 over 10 years ago, avoiding fusion surgery and still going strong at age 70.
It IS a procedure worth fighting for, especially since most Drs would recommend a fusion or a more aggressive laminectomy, where much more bone is removed.
Which vertebra were affected in your case? I don't think many people know about this procedure.
Replies to "Hi Tony, I do agree that a neurosurgeon should be involved in any back surgery. The..."
my surgeon did a spinal fusion--said 2 vertibue needed==lifting. month later a screw got loose and caused severe sciatica..treated for that not knowing it was the screw.
never had back pain in my life but I do now and have to use a walker. My fault for not seeking another opinion.,' 'now 6 years later, the area that was in extreme pain is aching--pain meds do not work for me and I had many
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Hey Joe
Glad to hear from you.
It was L3-4 L4-5 and the procedure was a hemilamenotomy !
Much less invasive than a lamenectomy where cuts are made through the vertebrae on both sides of the ridge in the back completely removing a section of the vertebrae so it is a horse shoe not the circle and is weaked 30%.
The hemilamenotomy removes a 1/2 inch half circle of lamina on one side of the vertebra leaving an intact full circle vertebrae. This 1/2 inch semicircle allows a steel tube to be used as a tunnel for the surgeon to see and remove bony material crushing in on the spinal cord.
This is 5 days after the procedure, stopped pain killers 2 days ago and walked 1 mile yesterday and 3 miles today without issues. I was blessed to has the right surgeon, the right procedure and the right post op meds.
Thanks for your support.
Tony