LAMINOTOMY, FORAMINOTOMY & DISCECTOMY (LFD)
WHAT IS A LAMINOTOMY, FORAMINOTOMY & DISCECTOMY?
A laminotomy, foraminotomy & discectomy (LFD) — also known as a spinal decompression — is a minimally invasive spinal procedure used to treat pain and symptoms caused by chronic back and neck conditions. During the procedure, a portion of bone or spinal disc is removed from the spine to relieve pressure on compressed spinal nerves. Compressed nerve roots are often the source of pain for back and neck conditions, and a minimally invasive LFD procedure opens up space in the spine for the spinal cord and nerves to travel freely.
LFD is used to treat several conditions that cause spinal cord or nerve compression, including:
- Spinal stenosis (central canal stenosis and foraminal stenosis)
- Spinal arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Bulging disc
- Herniated disc
- Annular tear
The conditions listed above cause significant pain, weakness, numbness and loss of movement and flexibility in the spine. Age, genetics, traumatic incidents like car accidents and falls, and natural wear and tear can all lead to changes and damage to the spinal discs, vertebrae, joints and other structures within the spine.
LFD relieves pain and pressure in the spine and helps you regain mobility so that you can return to your prior level of functioning. It’s especially effective at relieving pain that travels down the buttock and leg.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PROCEDURE
At Integrity Spine and Orthopedics, we perform LFD as an outpatient procedure so that you can return home the same day. At your procedure, your surgeon will make a less than 1-inch incision in your neck or spine and insert an endoscope. An endoscope is a strong, thin tool that has a powerful camera and light attached to it. Guided by the camera and light, your surgeon will move the endoscope to the area where a nerve is pinched and remove the part of the bone or disc that’s compressing spinal nerves or the spinal cord. Afterward, the incision will be closed and you’ll be moved to a recovery room for observation.
RECOVERY
LFD is a minimally invasive procedure, which means it has fewer risks than open surgery and requires less downtime and recovery time. You’ll be able to return home the same day as surgery and our staff will give you specific instructions to help aid your recovery. You’ll probably experience some soreness around the incision site for several days. Many patients are able to return to normal activities within a few weeks of surgery.
Some of the primary benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:
- Smaller incisions
- Fewer complications and bloss loss during surgery
- Less damage to surrounding muscle and soft tissues
- Lower risk of infection
- Less post-op pain and less reliance on strong pain medications during recovery
- Faster recovery and rehabilitation
- Better cosmetic results with minimal scarring
We encourage you to learn more about minimally invasive surgery and the benefits here:
5 Advantages of Minimally Invasive Procedures
CONTACT INTEGRITY SPINE AND ORTHOPEDICS TO FIND RELIEF FROM BACK OR NECK PAIN
At Integrity Spine and Orthopedics, we specialize in identifying, diagnosing and treating a wide range of acute and chronic back, spine and joint conditions. If you’re experiencing back or joint pain, weakness, or a loss of mobility, reach out to us today to schedule a consultation with our team. We provide compassionate and comprehensive care to help you find relief from pain and get back to doing the activities you love.
Call us at 904-456-0017 or contact us online to request an appointment.