Lumbar Spine Surgery
The lumbar spine
What is it?
The lumbar spine – or lower back – is made up of five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine, between the ribs and pelvis. The spinal cord ends at the top of the lumbar spine, and the remaining nerve roots (called the cauda equina) descend the remainder of the spinal canal.
The lower back performs important functions, such as:
- Supports and stabilizes the upper body
- Allows movement in the trunk
- Protects the spinal cord and cauda equina
- Controls leg movements
While the lumbar spine is sturdy and resilient, it is also subject to a high degree of stress and loads, which may cause various problems that result in pain. When this happens, Dr. Washington specializes in a number of different procedures that can provide relief.
Relieving pressure
Lumbar Microdiscectomy
This minimally invasive procedure is performed to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve column caused by a herniated lumbar (lower back) disc. The goal of the procedure is to decrease pain and allow you to regain normal movement and function.
A microdiscectomy is performed using a special microscope to view the disc and nerves. Using this microscope provides a larger view, which, in turn, allows the surgeon to make a smaller incision. The smaller the incision, the less damage is made to the surrounding tissue.
The goal of a microdiscectomy is to remove the disc material placing pressure on the nerves by the herniated disc. Since the procedure is done under general anesthesia, you’ll be unconscious during the entire procedure.
Widening the spinal canal
Lumbar Laminectomy
A lumbar laminectomy is a minimally invasive surgical intervention performed to alleviate spinal nerve compression often caused by spinal stenosis or a herniated disc.
This procedure involves widening your spinal canal in the lumbar area, which is the lower back region. This is achieved by removing the lamina, a part of the vertebra that serves as a cover for your spinal canal. The result is relief from pressure on the spinal cord or nerves that is usually caused by bone spurs within the spinal canal. These bone spurs can narrow the space around your spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain, weakness, or numbness radiating down your arms or legs.
While many cases of spinal stenosis or disc herniation can be treated with rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, or a back brace, sometimes these methods might not be enough. If the symptoms worsen over time, that’s when Dr. Washington may recommend a laminectomy.
TLIF, ALIF & DLIF
Lumbar Fusion
Lumbar fusion surgery is designed to permanently connect two or more vertebrae in your lower back (lumbar) to stop painful motion between the vertebrae by fusing them. Most commonly, this type of surgery is performed to alleviate the pain and disability caused by conditions such as degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis, although it can be used to strengthen a weak or unstable lumbar spine, fractures, scoliosis, or deformity.
There are many approaches to lumbar fusion, and all involve techniques designed to mimic the normal healing process of broken bones. During a lumbar spinal fusion, a bone graft, or bone-like material, is placed within the space between two lumbar vertebrae. Metal plates, screws, and rods may be used to hold the vertebrae together as they heal into one solid unit.
Dr. Washington performs three different lumbar fusion procedures:
