Lumbar Hemilaminectomy

Understanding Spine Structure

The bones in the spine, called vertebrae, are each shaped like rings surrounding the spinal cord. The empty space at the center is called the spinal canal. This gives the spinal cord room to function while ensuring that it remains protected on all sides. In some cases, however, the spinal canal may become restricted. This puts pressure on the spinal cord, resulting in nerve impingement and pain.

What Is Lumbar Hemilaminectomy?

Lumbar hemilaminectomy is a surgical procedure to widen the spinal canal in the lower back. It involves removing parts of the lamina, or the back of the vertebra, to create extra space around the spinal cord. The prefix “hemi” means half. A hemilaminectomy, therefore, can be considered a half or partial laminectomy.

What Does Lumbar Hemilaminectomy Treat?

Lumbar hemilaminectomy is a versatile procedure that may be recommended in a variety of situations. In many cases, it is used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. It may also be used to access a spinal structure that is difficult to reach. Lumbar hemilaminectomy is an effective treatment for:

• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Lumbar herniated disc
• Lumbar slipped disc
• Lumbar degenerative disc disease
• Lumbar myelopathy
• Lumbar radiculopathy
• Lumbar spinal cord injury

Most back pain treatments do not begin with surgery. Before attempting an invasive procedure that requires a long recovery, physicians will attempt conservative treatments like rest, physical therapy, and medication. If pain does not respond to non-invasive treatments, however, then surgery may be necessary. Patients should speak with a NU-Spine doctor about whether surgery is right for them.

Who Performs Lumbar Hemilaminectomy at NU-Spine?

Surgical procedures at NU-Spine are performed by Branko Skovrlj, MD. Dr. Skovrlj is a top neurosurgeon and one of the few in New Jersey to focus exclusively on spine treatments. He has expertise in a wide range of surgeries. However, he favors minimally invasive procedures, which provide faster, more reliable results than traditional open surgery. He regularly participates in medical research to improve the availability of minimally invasive surgeries. His contributions have earned multiple awards.

Despite his renown, Dr. Skovrlj holds onto the values of a small-town physician. He treats patients with compassion. In addition, his down-to-earth personality makes him approachable, helping patients discuss their lower back pain freely.

How Is Lumbar Hemilaminectomy Done?

Lumbar hemilaminectomy takes place at one of NU-Spine’s advanced surgical facilities using the latest technology. It is performed under anesthesia to keep the patient asleep while Dr. Skovrlj is operating. After the anesthesia takes effect, Dr. Skovrlj performs the following steps:

1. Dr. Skovrlj makes a small incision on the lower back.
2. Using instruments called surgical dilators, Dr. Skovrlj gently pushes aside soft tissue to expose the spine section he is targeting.
3. Dr. Skovrlj carefully removes strategic parts of the lamina.
4. Dr. Skovrlj may use the new opening to perform a lumbar discectomy to remove a damaged spinal disc.
5. He closes the incision with sutures (stitches) and covers it with a surgical dressing.

Afterward, the patient is moved to a recovery room while they wake up from anesthesia. Trained medical staff monitor the patient’s vital signs to ensure there are no complications. Once the patient is awake, they may be able to go home the same day. Other patients may need to stay the night while recovering from a lumbar discectomy or lumbar spinal fusion.

Recovery After Lumbar Hemilaminectomy

Once the patient has clearance to return home, Dr. Skovrlj provides recovery instructions. Patients should be careful to follow directions to prevent complications and ensure an easy healing process. Recovery instructions may include:

• Protecting incision sites with surgical dressings
• Limiting strenuous activities, including household chores
• Walking small amounts daily to encourage blood flow
• Avoiding sitting down for very long periods
• Taking medications to reduce post-surgical pain
• Watching for fever, swelling, and other signs of infection
• Scheduling follow-up appointments with Dr. Skovrlj

Most patients can resume light activities like driving, chores, and non-strenuous work after a few weeks. At this point, physical therapy is often recommended. Physical therapy helps patients rebuild strength, flexibility, and stability around the surgical site, restoring mobility and preventing reinjury. The full recovery time depends on the individual but usually takes between four and six weeks.

Outcomes of Lumbar Hemilaminectomy

Most patients experience significant relief immediately after lumbar hemilaminectomy. Though the surgery may cause some pain from the incision, this pain will get better as the body heals. Any nerve pain from the lumbar spine condition should be fully eliminated. Patients can return to their favorite activities with less reliance on pain medications.

Lumbar hemilaminectomy is a minimally invasive spine surgery. This means that Dr. Skovrlj uses specialized tools and techniques to operate through a smaller incision. Minimally invasive methods cause less stress to the body, allowing for the following benefits:

• Shorter hospital stays
• Less post-surgical bleeding
• Reduced risk of infection
• Higher success rates
• Faster overall recovery

For these reasons, Dr. Skovrlj prioritizes minimally invasive methods whenever possible. His emphasis allows NU-Spine to deliver faster results with less discomfort for patients.

Find Lower Back Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

If you or a loved one is struggling with lower back pain, a solution may exist. Transform your life with a touch of care at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. We specialize in providing minimally invasive spine treatments like lumbar hemilaminectomy to help patients find long-term relief. Contact us to learn more about spine procedures or to make an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lumbar Hemilaminectomy

What is a lumbar hemilaminectomy procedure?

Lumbar hemilaminectomy is a minimally invasive form of lumbar laminectomy. It involves removing parts of the lamina, or the back section of a vertebra, to reduce pressure on the spinal cord. It is recommended to treat nerve pain that originates in the lower back.

Who is a candidate for lumbar hemilaminectomy?

Patients may be candidates for hemilaminectomy surgery if they have severe lower back pain that interferes with everyday life, especially if the pain does not respond to conservative treatment.

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive spine surgery is a set of advanced techniques that use specialized tools to work through smaller incisions. They reduce damage to the body, for less pain, bleeding, and infection risk, and a faster recovery.