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hemilaminectomy??

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Posted 8/23/2010 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone out there had a hemilaminectomy and experienced a successful outcome??  I'm 64 and am in otherwise good health.

My MRI shows compressed nerves between L3 and L4 and L4 and L5 and my surgeon says a hemilaminectomy should bring relief.  I, however, am afraid of scar tissue forming which could make my condition even worse.  It's hard to decide what to do without hearing from someone who had the procedure. 

My condition makes sitting painful andcauses me to be reluctant to drive or fly any distance so I feel trapped with such a big world out there.

Thanks for sharing any experiences - either pro or con.  jim

Posted 8/24/2010 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
hello sadie, i had a bilateral laminectomy at l4,5 L5,S1. it came out pretty good but it was no walk in the park. it was my first surgery and the ortho said you probably aren't going to like this and he was right. but about a month latter i had a good result. lamis dont seem to last forever with most people and you will have scar tissue or adhesions. what makes a difference is who does it. at this point i think neurosurgeons are the way to go, but regardless make sure you do your homework. good luck
Posted 8/24/2010 6:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sadie!

I had to look up what this was! I do have a collapsing disk at L5/S1 so this is of interest to me. I found a good site that shows where the lamina is and what it looks like for others who are interested..

www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Spine-Center/Anatomy-of-the-Spine/Vertebrae-of-the-Spine.aspx

I do wish you the very best!
Chutz
Posted 8/25/2010 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
I had a hemilaminectomy at L4/L5 almost thirty years ago and I have had a wonderful outcome.  Before I had the surgery I could barely walk, was in constant pain and was bedbound.  It was an awful time in my life. 

After the surgery, I spent a lot of time in rehab, due to the fact that I had not been out of bed for practically two years, and had to rebuild my muscles.   But today, my back is pretty good.  Some times I will have a bought with sciatica, but it is not often.  I was say that my back surgery was a huge success.

Good luck and God bless.

Lindaloo

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