Laminectomy
A laminectomy is a spinal decompression surgery designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This procedure can be an effective solution for restoring comfort and halting the progression of nerve damage. Dr. Rojeh Melikian provides a personalized, minimally invasive laminectomy approach to help you experience lasting relief from severe back pain.
Conditions Treated by Laminectomy
If you are experiencing any of the following conditions, you may be eligible for a laminectomy:
- Spinal stenosis: A laminectomy directly widens narrow spinal canals, relieving compression of the nerves.
- Herniated discs: This procedure can address severe disc herniations that have compressed the spinal cord and contributed to nerve damage.
- Bone spurs: Removing bony overgrowths through a laminectomy prevents further compression or irritation of the spinal cord.
- Spinal tumors and cysts: A laminectomy procedure decompresses the spinal cord from spinal tumors or benign cysts that grow over time and impinge on nerves.
- Spinal injuries: Traumatic spine injuries can put pressure on the spinal cord, and a laminectomy can help to release that pressure.
What to Expect From a Laminectomy Procedure
With Dr. Melikian, surgery is typically explored only after physical therapy, injections and medications fail to provide adequate relief. During a comprehensive consultation, Dr. Melikian will use medical imaging and testing, such as an MRI or CT scan, to visualize your condition and the severity of compression before recommending a laminectomy or another course of action.
A laminectomy procedure involves the precise removal of the lamina or bone spurs to create immediate space within the spinal canal and decompress the nerves. Dr. Melikian takes a specialized approach to a laminectomy, using smaller incisions and microscopic visualization. This minimally invasive technique offers minimized muscle disruption, reduced pain and a faster recovery.
Recovery Timeline After a Laminectomy
As the patient, you will be under general anesthesia during the entirety of the procedure. Immediately following the procedure, you will be taken to a recovery room for monitoring. Our team will help you with mobility, encouraging you to walk soon after surgery to speed up healing.
Because this is a minimally invasive procedure, you may only need a short hospital stay to monitor the incision and encourage movement. Our team will outline your tailored pain management plan and initial restrictions, like no bending, twisting or lifting. From there, you can recover in the comfort of your home with regular physical therapy sessions to help ease your return to daily life.
Why Choose Dr. Melikian?
Dr. Melikian is a board-certified surgeon who has trained at Harvard and Emory University. He has dedicated his career to specializing in minimally invasive microsurgical and microendoscopic techniques for the treatment of several spinal disorders.
When you choose Dr. Melikian and his team, you can expect:
- Trustworthy opinions: Dr. Melikian is transparent about potential treatment options and will never recommend surgery unless necessary.
- Patient-centric care: Our patients and their health are our top priority, which is why we always create personalized treatment and recovery plans for every individual’s unique needs.
- Top-tier facilities: We offer advanced spine care across Southern California with locations in Marina del Rey, Newport Beach and Brentwood.
Contact Us for a Consultation Today
You deserve to find relief from back pain. Call us at 949-269-6879 today to learn more about the possibilities of a laminectomy with Rojeh Melikian, M.D. You can also contact our team online to schedule your consultation.