Laminectomy

Bone is removed to relieve pressure on the nerve and to allow the surgeon access to parts of the spine where surgery is needed, such as an injured disk.

A laminectomy removes the entire lamina. Removal of the lamina helps release the pressure when the disk bulges.

It is also used when the disk badly damaged and the surgeon needs greater access to perform a discetomy. If stenosis is present, the surgeon may enlarge the foramen (opening between the verebrae) to allow space for the nerve exit.