Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression surgery is a general term that refers to various procedures intended to relieve symptoms caused by pressure, or compression, on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Bulging or collapsed disks, thickened joints, loosened ligaments and bony growths can narrow the spinal canal and the spinal nerve openings (foramen), causing irritation, problem with bladder or bowel function, and, in severe cases, paralysis.

Spinal Compression Symptoms

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Unsteadiness

Decompression Techniques

Orthopaedic surgeon Todd Peters, MD specializes in various minimally invasive spinal decompression techniques, which uses small incisions and a tiny video camera for viewing, to relieve patients of painful symptoms of compressed spine.

A diskectomy is performed to relieve the pressure of a herniated slipped, ruptured or bulging disk that causes pain.

A procedure that involves removing a small part of the bony arches (lamina) of the spinal canal. During a laminectomy, the entire lamina is removed, increases the size of the spinal canal, relieving pressure.

Both procedures are performed to expand the openings for the nerve roots to exit the spinal cord by removing some bone and other tissue. A foraminectomy generally refers to a procedure that removes a large amount of bone and tissue.

This involves removing bony growths called osteophytes or bone spurs.

This is surgery to remove the body of a vertebra, as well as the disks.

A combination of techniques may be used; and in some cases, fusion of the vertebrae also is needed to stabilize the spine.

Orange County orthopaedic surgeon Todd Peters, MD specializes in spinal decompression in Newport Beach, CA. Call (949) 383-4182 for appointment or Contact Us.