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Laminectomy Dangers

A laminectomy is a type of back surgery that aims to alleviate pain caused by a nerve that's pinched by compressed vertebrae. Surgeons remove the disc or bone parts that are causing the compression and pain. This procedure is often chosen after other methods, such as physical therapy and medications, fail to alleviate the pain. This procedure also has its dangers.

  1. Poor Results

    • While a laminectomy can give you full relief from pain, it can also give you only partial relief--or none at all. You also have a chance of more problems in the future even after the operation. Those with spinal fusion, or bones that have grown together, have a more likely chance of problems, especially directly above or below the fused area. If you have a laminectomy and another type of back surgery, your chances of having future back problems is dramatically increased. Even if the laminectomy gives you full relief immediately after the surgery, you are not guaranteed that relief will last and the pain may return in the future.

    Nerve Problems

    • Because the spine is such a delicate area, nerve damage is another potential danger of a laminectomy. Spinal nerves can deteriorate or become damaged, leaving you with pain, numbness or no feeling at all. Nerve damage can also lead to weakness and instability.

    Infection

    • A laminectomy also poses the risk of infection. Infection can invade the surgical wound or even the bones of the vertebrae. Post-surgical infections commonly invade the bladder, kidneys or lungs, the latter often resulting in pneumonia.

    Spinal Problems

    • Other spine complications are also a risk with a laminectomy. Spinal fluid leakage can lead to swelling, pain, vision problems or a host of other problems with digestion, the brain and nervous system. The surgery can also damage the blood vessels surrounding the spine or the dura mater, which is the protective covering around the spine.

    Other

    • A laminectomy also carries the risk of several other dangers. Post-surgical bleeding, either externally or internally, is always a risk, as is the risk of developing blood clots. Blood clots can form in your legs and make their way up to your lungs. Laminectomy dangers also include an adverse reaction to anesthesia or medications needed for the procedure.

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