What is METRx in spine surgery?

METRx tubular system for spinal surgery is a less invasive version of traditional spine surgery in which tubular retractor is applied by using microsurgical techniques to achieve nerve and spinal cord decompression and spine stability.

What are tubular retractors?

A retractor is any instrument that moves or holds tissue so a surgeon can reach a particular area. The tubular retractor is valuable because it moves aside the folds and delicate tissues of the brain with less risk of damage than other surgical methods – it displaces the tissue instead of cutting through it.

What is a Foraminotomy surgery?

Foraminotomy is surgery that widens the opening in your spine where nerve roots leave your spinal canal. You may have a narrowing of the nerve opening (foraminal stenosis).

Is laminectomy the same as decompression?

Cervical laminectomy Laminectomy is surgery that creates space by removing the lamina — the back part of a vertebra that covers your spinal canal. Also known as decompression surgery, laminectomy enlarges your spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

How long does it take to recover from a lumbar discectomy?

It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to reach your expected level of mobility and function (this will depend on the severity of your condition and symptoms before the operation). When you wake up after lumbar decompression surgery, your back may feel sore and you’ll probably be attached to 1 or more tubes.

What is a micro dissecting me?

Microdiscectomy, also sometimes called microdecompression or microdiskectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed on patients with a herniated lumbar disc. During this surgery, a surgeon will remove portions of the herniated disc to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve column.

What is the difference between laminectomy and foraminotomy?

A foraminotomy is a surgical procedure designed to lower pressure within the spinal canal by enlarging the passageway through which a spinal nerve root branches from the spinal canal. A laminectomy is a procedure to remove a greater portion of the bone (lamina) covering the roof of the spinal canal.

How long does foraminotomy surgery take?

The procedure will take about 2 hours. For a minimally invasive type of foraminotomy you can expect: During the procedure, you’ll lie on your stomach. You will get anesthesia to help you sleep through the surgery.

How many years does a laminectomy last?

Success Rates of Lumbar Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis 85% to 90% of lumbar central spinal stenosis patients find relief from leg pain after an open laminectomy surgery. 75% of patients may have satisfactory outcomes for up to 10 years postoperatively.

How bad is the pain after a laminectomy?

It is very common to experience lower limb pain 2-‐4 days post surgery and again after 3 weeks. Usually this pain is less than the pain you had before surgery but in some cases it can be severe and quite stressful.

Is a discectomy major surgery?

Discectomy is a common but major surgery with significant risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options.

Does a discectomy weaken the back?

This study shows that 4% of the patients had a worsening of the functional status and HRQL after lumbar microdiscectomy. The deterioration is significant, and it occurs within a larger cohort of patients with a favourable overall outcome, demonstrated by large effect sizes on all outcome measures.