Laminectomy is surgery to remove the back arch or part of a spinal bone. This part of the bone, called the lamina, covers the spinal canal. Laminectomy enlarges the spinal canal to ease pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Laminectomy is often done as part of a decompression surgery to relieve pressure.
Pressure in the spinal canal is most commonly caused by bony overgrowths within the spinal canal. These overgrowths are sometimes called bone spurs. These overgrowths are a side effect of aging and can happen in people who have arthritis in their spines. Some people are more likely to have bone spurs because of genetic traits passed down in their families.
Laminectomy is generally used only when more-conservative treatments, such as medicines, physical therapy or injections, have failed to relieve symptoms. Laminectomy also might be recommended if symptoms are severe or getting much worse.
