Surgical Management of Spinal Stenosis

Edited By: Richard J. Bransford, M.D.
Last updated Friday, December 23, 2005

Conclusion

Summary of laminectomy, decompression, fusion for

1. Stenosis (a narrowing around the spinal cord or nerve roots) can be caused by many things. Some of the causes, include disc herniation, disc degeneration, arthritis, congenital narrowing, fracture, tumor, scoliosis, or spondylolisthesis.
2. The surgical management is based on the cause of the stenosis and not the stenosis itself. 
3. Stenosis surgery is usually very effective if done for the right condition. Surgeries for spine issues are generally more successful than spine surgery for arthritis or back pain.
4. Central stenosis will cause more general symptoms and can cause damage to the spinal cord itself (myelopathy). This is more significant than foraminal stenosis.  Foraminal stenosis is a narrowing of the canals where the nerve roots exit the spinal cord. These conditions cause symptoms in a particular region of the arm or leg and are referred to as radicular symptoms. 
5. Most patients with stenosis will not need surgery and the condition can resolve on its own with time, or with the help of medications and injections.
   

Surgery for at the University of Washington

Disclaimer

This resource has been provided by the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as general information only. This information may not apply to a specific patient. Additional information may be found at http://www.orthop.washington.edu or by contacting the UW Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

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