Lumbar Laminectomy Topic Guide

Cauda equina syndrome is a condition that involves severe compression and inflammation of the nerves in the lower spine. Cauda equina syndrome requires emergency surgery because it may result in permanent loss of bladder control, and disabled lower limbs.

Back pain may be caused by sciatica, a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia, injury and pregnancy. The pain usually radiates down the legs, pain that gets worse with activity or at night, or numbness or weakness in the leg. Treatment may involve sleeping with a pillow between the knees or taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Sciatica is lower back pain with pain that radiates through the buttocks and down one leg. Common causes include herniated disc, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy and a pinched nerve. Treatment involves applying a cold pack and taking pain medications.

An abnormal, injured, or degenerated vertebral disc that has protruded against nerve fibers is called a slipped, prolapsed, ruptured, or herniated disc. A slipped disc may cause symptoms such as pain down the back of the leg (sciatica), numbness or weakness. Treatment may include applying hot or cold packs, limiting activity, taking pain relievers, stretching, performing strengthening exercises, physical therapy, massage, or surgery.

Spinal stenosis is defined as an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is degenerative arthritis. The types of spinal stenosis depend on the location along the spine, cervical, thoracic, or lumbar. Symptoms are generally experienced to the areas of the body that is regulated by that portion of the nerves in the spinal chord. Possible symptoms include worsening balance, falling, dropping objects, difficulty buttoning buttons or picking up small coins, loss of control of the bowel and/or bladder, pain, numbness, tingling, weakness along the path of the nerve being compressed, myelopathy (spinal cord compression), weakness or cramping in the arms and hands, and weakness or cramping in the legs and feet, particularly progressively with walking and being relieved with resting. Treatment for spinal stenosis is generally surgery.

Spinal stenosis is treated with medications, lifestyle options, and surgery. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the spinal canal, which is the space that contains the vertebrae, spinal cord, spinal discs, nerves, and other tissues. The narrowing is typically caused by arthritis or injury.