While many cases improve with conservative treatment, some symptoms continue getting worse over time and may eventually require procedures such as a laminectomy to relieve pressure on the affected nerves.
At Northwest Spine Surgery in Portland, Oregon, our team treats degenerative spinal conditions, including spinal stenosis and herniated discs. Fellowship-trained spine surgeons Dr. Kendrick Khoo and Dr. Serena Liu focus on evidence-based care and patient education, helping people understand their treatment options before surgery is considered. The practice also includes board-certified family practitioner Dr. Laurens Johansen, who brings decades of experience and a strong primary care background to the patient experience.
What Causes Sciatica Symptoms?
Sciatica happens when nerves in the lower spine become compressed or irritated. The pressure can cause pain and other symptoms that travel from the lower back into the leg. Common causes include spinal stenosis, herniated discs, arthritis, bone spurs, and other age-related changes in the spine.
People with sciatica often complain of:
- Radiating leg pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Pain while standing or walking
- Difficulty walking long distances
When Is a Laminectomy Recommended for Sciatica?
A laminectomy is usually considered after conservative treatments stop providing enough relief. The procedure helps relieve pressure on compressed spinal nerves.
Surgery may become an option when sciatica symptoms continue affecting your daily activities despite physical therapy, medication, injections, or activity modification. Some people develop worsening leg pain, numbness, weakness, or walking limitations that make it difficult to stay active and mobile. Imaging studies may also show nerve compression caused by spinal stenosis, herniated discs, arthritis, or bone spurs.
During an evaluation, your provider reviews symptoms, imaging results, mobility concerns, and previous treatments before deciding whether a laminectomy makes sense for your condition.
How Does a Laminectomy Help Relieve Sciatica?
During a laminectomy, the surgeon removes part of the lamina, the section of bone covering the spinal canal. This creates more space around the compressed nerves and may help reduce the pressure contributing to sciatica symptoms.
Depending on the condition being treated, minimally invasive techniques may also be an option.
Most people are encouraged to begin walking soon after surgery, although recovery varies from person to person. Improvement often happens gradually as inflammation decreases and the nerves begin recovering.
Schedule an Evaluation in Portland, OR
Sciatica symptoms that continue getting worse should not be ignored, especially when normal daily activities become more difficult. To learn whether a laminectomy may help relieve your symptoms, contact Northwest Spine Surgery in Portland, OR at 503-253-4000 to schedule an evaluation.
