Spinal Stenosis is a condition where narrowing of the spinal canal occurs thus nerves that goes through in it gets compress resulting to pain at the back. Surgery is often the option when all non-surgical form of treatment fails to relieve pain and when condition continues to get worst.
Procedure of the surgery often involves removing the damaged parts of the spine. When the procedure successfully enlarges the spinal canal it then relieves the nerve from pressure which then reduces weakness in your legs, numbness and pain.
Surgery is usually recommended if all possible non-surgical treatment has been explored already and you still experience severe symptoms of weakness in the legs, numbness or pain. If these symptoms are affecting your daily activities or task or generally affects your quality of life. If you are in good health which means you are not suffering from any other condition which might conflict with you having the surgery or make it difficult for you to recover fast from surgery if ever.
Surgery is a big decision to make that is why it is helpful if you know all there is to know about surgery of lumbar spinal Stenosis, its rate of success, its cost and all other details for you to make a sound decision. So far eighty percent of patients are quite satisfied with the results of spinal Stenosis surgery. For those people who are suffering from severe symptoms, surgery does improve their walking ability as well as relieve pain although symptoms may again recur after a few years. Also only around 10 to 20% of those who undergo spinal Stenosis surgery need to have surgery again ( Ann Rheum Dis. 1967).
The major kind of surgery for spinal Stenosis in the lower back is laminectomy which can relieve the pressure in the spinal nerve roots. The procedure eliminates part of he vertebra so as to create more space for the nerves. In some instances spinal fusion surgery may also be perform in combination with laminectomy for the purpose of stabilizing the spine. Spinal fusion may be able to relieve you from pain and improve function.
As mentioned above, always discuss thoroughly with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the severity of your symptoms and resulting tests made to ensure that surgery is really necessary to perform.