NEUROLOGY AND NEUROPATHOLOGY

Lumbar Discectomy

Lumbar discs are the structures that serve as shock absorbers between the vertebrae of the spinal column. Single level spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the lower spinal column. Lumbar discs may herniate creating pressure against one or more spinal nerves causing severe pain, numbness or weakness in the lower back, legs and feet. Chronic pain can develop from this condition.

Minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy/discectomy is an operation performed on the lower spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots. The surgeon reaches the lumbar spine through a small incision in the low back. After the muscles of the spine are spread, the nerve root is exposed by removing part of the bony covering (lamina) which covers the nerve root. This is called a laminectomy. If necessary a portion of the intervertebral disc is then removed taking the pressure off of the nerve root.

False Creek Surgical Centre was the first Canadian facility to offer back surgery in the ambulatory environment and continues to be a leader in this field of surgery. New technology at the facility enables False Creek’s surgeons to perform a laminectomy endoscopically. Since 2000, False Creek has performed over 300 back surgeries.