Deuk Spine

Why is Laminectomy recommended by some spine surgeons?

Radiculopathy (nerve root dysfunction) from compressed/pinched nerves
Sciatica (pain down leg to foot) from compressed/pinched nerves
Spinal Stenosis with Cauda Equina Syndrome (poly radiculopathy) from compressed/pinched nerves
Spinal Stenosis with Spinal cord injury from compressed/pinched spinal cord
Strong financial incentives for spine surgeons
High paying procedure. Profits can exceed $10,000 per surgery performed
These procedures rarely cure pain and frequently lead to more surgery and pain management. “Cash cows” of spine surgery

How is Laminectomy performed? (Why we don't recommend it ?)

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Why should Laminectomy be avoided?

Highly invasive: large incision and excessive cutting of normal tissues between skin and spine during laminectomy.

Excessive and unnecessary bleeding during and after surgery from muscle trauma by the surgeon.

Destruction of normal stabilizing bones including lamina and spinous process by the surgeon during laminectomy.

Destruction of normal stabilizing ligaments including supraspinous, interspinous and ligamentum flavum by the surgeon during laminectomy.

Destruction of normal muscles around the spine by the surgeon during laminectomy.

Excessive scar tissue forms around the spine and nerves after laminectomy.

Complications are common after laminectomy.

Disc herniations and degenerated discs are not treated when a laminectomy is performed. They are the most common cause of back and leg pain.

Adjacent segment disease is common after laminectomy and requires additional surgery.

Stenosis either persists or reoccurs commonly after laminectomy and will require additional surgery such as Fusion.

Excessive postoperative pain always occurs after laminectomy due to muscle trauma and necrosis (death of muscles). During laminectomy the muscles are torn off the spine by the surgeon in order to get down to the lamina. The dying muscles cause severe postoperative pain that always requires opioid painkillers and muscle relaxers. Opioid painkillers are highly addicting, cause tolerance, abuse and even death from breathing failure.