video and audio
On the recommendation of a neurologist, I began epidural treatments for back pain in early 2013. These were injections of Depo Medrol used to reduce swelling, and inflammation in my lower back. After several treatments that were largely ineffective, I stopped with the injections and looked for other forms of pain relief.
In 2011, as my neurosurgeon was explaining the results of the laminectomy, he casually mentioned that I had condition known as Spinal Stenosis, most likely congenital and most likely the cause of my Sciatica. Of course, this was all news to me and I wondered why it hadn’t been noticed on the MRI scan. Regardless, I had a new back ailment to add to the list and one that laminectomy should partially fix.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure to treat nerve root or spinal cord compression by decompressing the spinal cord and nerve roots of the cervical spine with a discectomy in order to stabilize the corresponding vertebrae. This procedure is used when other non-surgical treatments have failed.
Source: Wikipedia
In September of 2011 I underwent a Laminectomy for a herniated disc at L5/S1. The operation was performed by a Neurosurgeon who advised decompression to alleviate a large herniated disc applying pressure to a nerve root. He also performed another procedure unrelated to the L5/S1 disc issue which I won’t discuss at the moment. The entire procedure lasted approximately 5 hours and I stayed one night at the hospital.
Required viewing for those considering this procedure. This video provides a clear understanding of how the procedure is performed.
In September of 2011 I underwent a Laminectomy for a herniated disc at L5/S1. The operation was performed by a Neurosurgeon who advised decompression to alleviate a large herniated disc applying pressure to a nerve root. He also removed a Schwannoma, unrelated to the L5/S1 disc issue which you can read about here. The entire procedure lasted approximately 5 hours and I stayed one night at the hospital.
Also known as spondylodesis or spondylosyndesis, is a surgical technique used to join two or more vertebrae. Supplementary bone tissue, either from the patient (autograft) or a donor (allograft), is used in conjunction with the body’s natural bone growth (osteoblastic) processes to fuse the vertebrae. (Wikipedia).
