Your spinal cord plays a crucial role as the pathway connecting your brain to the rest of your body. Structural changes in the spine can lead to nerve irritation or compression. A hemilaminectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of the lamina to relieve this compression. It is considered a less invasive alternative to a laminectomy, where the entire lamina is removed.

Many spine conditions may cause nerve compression. Dr. Gottlieb treats many of these conditions with hemilaminectomy surgery, including:

• Herniated disc: A damaged intervertebral disc can result in the inner core spilling into the spinal canal, compressing the surrounding nerves
• Stenosis: This condition causes narrowing of the spinal column, resulting in compression of the spinal cord
• Radiculopathy: Occurs when a nerve root is pinched as it exits the spinal column
• Myelopathy: This is caused by severe compression of the spinal cord
• Scoliosis: If the curvature of the spine is severe, this condition can lead to nerve compression and other painful symptoms

Spinal compression can occur in any region of the spine. Dr. Gottlieb will perform diagnostic tests to identify the exact location of the compression before recommending treatment. While some symptoms may remain confined to the affected area, others may extend to different parts of the boy, such as the arms, hands, legs, or feet. Depending on the location of the compression, Dr. Gottlieb will choose to perform a specific procedure. These procedures include:

• Lumbar hemilaminectomy, to address spinal compression in the lower back
• Thoracic hemilaminectomy, to address symptoms in the mid-back region
• Cervical hemilaminectomy, to address symptoms in the upper back and neck

Often, there may be more than one issue contributing to nerve compression at once. In these special cases, Dr. Gottlieb might recommend combining the hemilaminectomy surgery with other procedures to address multiple spinal issues simultaneously, enhance the effectiveness of treatment, or improve your overall outcome.

• Hemilanectecomy discectomy: During hemilaminectomy discectomy surgery, Dr. Gottlieb will first remove part of the lamina to relieve compression on the spinal cord, followed by the removal of a damaged disc. This procedure can be done in whatever region of the spine where the damaged disc is located. A lumbar hemilaminectomy discectomy, for example, addresses compression and disc herniation in the lower back.
• Hemilanectecomy microdiscectomy: Combining a hemilaminectomy and a microdiscectomy, Dr. Gottlieb will first create a small opening in the lamina. Then, a small endoscopic camera is inserted through the opening. After visualizing the surgical area and identifying the issue, the damaged part of the disc or bone spurs that are causing irritation are removed through the same small opening.
• Laminotomy hemilaminectomy: Dr. Gottlieb creates an opening in one of the lamina bones. Utilizing these openings, the doctor relieves pressure on the root nerves and spinal cord to provide relief from severe symptoms and pain.
• Decompressive hemilaminectomy: If the affected nerves require additional release, a decompressive hemilaminectomy is performed