Stenosis
Stenosis refers to narrowing of the spinal canal. Areas of the spinal canal that can have stenosis include the foramen, central canal, or lateral recess. Symptoms typically include radiculopathy (especially with foraminal stenosis) and/or neurogenic claudication (stenosis of the central canal ) or myelopathy (central canal stenosis of the cervical spine). Stenosis can be graded as mild, moderate, or severe, but such a grading scheme is subjective. The symptoms from the stenosis, rather than the degree of stenosis, are most important in deciding between treatment options.
Laminotomy/foraminotomy Surgery
Bone spurs (ie spinal stenosis) can be removed by doing a laminotomy and foraminotomy. This involves resection of the medial lamina and the facet joint.
Laminectomy Surgery
Laminectomy is a commonly performed procedure to treat spinal stenosis. The procedure involves resectionof the spinous process, lamina, and mesial (most midline portion) facet joints. In addition, foraminotomy is also performed. If required, a diskectomy can be simultaneously done to treat a disk herniation. Laminectomy can also be done when spine tumors need to be removed. Although an excellent procedure to treatment of certain disorders, Laminectomy does carry the risk of facet injury and spinal instability.