Correcting Scoliosis: How Laminectomy Contributes to Spinal Straightening

Liming Zang^*
*Correspondence: Liming Zang, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200090, China, Email:

Introduction

Scoliosis is a medical condition that involves an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, It can range from mild, causing little disruption to daily life, to severe, leading to pain, postural deformities, and neurological problems. While non-surgical methods like physical therapy, bracing, and observation are often used for less severe cases, some individuals with significant spinal curvature or neurological complications may require surgery. One surgical procedure that plays a crucial role in correcting scoliosis is laminectomy. This surgery is typically used in conjunction with other procedures like spinal fusion to realign the spine and reduce the pressure on nerves. This article will examine the role of laminectomy in treating scoliosis, discussing how it helps straighten the spine, alleviate symptoms, and improve overall quality of life for individuals with scoliosis. Scoliosis is characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, with the most common form being idiopathic scoliosis, which typically develops during childhood or adolescence [1,2].

Description

The severity of scoliosis is measured by the degree of curvature, with curves greater than 10 degrees typically classified as scoliosis. Curves over 40-50 degrees may require surgical intervention, especially if the condition is causing neurological symptoms, pain, or deformity. A laminectomy is a type of spinal surgery in which part of the vertebra called the lamina is removed. The lamina is the bony arch of the vertebra that forms the roof of the spinal canal, protecting the spinal cord and nerves. When a laminectomy is performed, the surgeon removes the lamina to create more space within the spinal canal, reducing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Laminectomy is primarily used to treat conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and nerve compression. In scoliosis cases, laminectomy can play a crucial role by creating more space for the spinal cord and nerves, improving spinal alignment, and facilitating the correction of the curvature. While laminectomy does not directly straighten the spine, it is an essential component in scoliosis surgery, particularly when nerve compression is a significant concern. As scoliosis progresses, the abnormal curvature can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, leading to symptoms like pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. Laminectomy is performed to alleviate this compression by removing part of the lamina, which increases the space within the spinal canal. This decompression helps to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, reducing symptoms associated with nerve involvement. In many cases, the removal of the lamina can provide almost immediate relief of pain or discomfort caused by nerve compression. This can improve the patient’s quality of life and make other surgical procedures, such as spinal fusion, more effective [3-5].

Conclusion

Laminectomy plays a vital role in the treatment of scoliosis, particularly for patients with severe curvature or nerve compression. While it is not a cure for scoliosis itself, laminectomy significantly contributes to the overall surgical plan by decompressing the spinal cord and nerves, facilitating spinal realignment, and improving the chances of a successful spinal fusion. This combination of procedures helps correct the curvature of the spine, alleviate pain, and restore function, leading to an improved quality of life for patients. As with any surgery, careful consideration of the risks and benefits is essential, and treatment plans should be tailored to each individual’s specific needs. Scoliosis often causes chronic back pain and stiffness due to the abnormal alignment of the vertebrae and the strain it places on muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Laminectomy offers relief by reducing pressure on the nerves, which is often a significant source of pain in patients with scoliosis. By alleviating this pressure, patients may experience significant improvements in their mobility, flexibility, and overall comfort.

Acknowledgment

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

1. Duong, Linh M., Bridget J. McCarthy, Roger E. McLendon and Therese A. Dolecek, et al. "Descriptive epidemiology of malignant and nonmalignant primary spinal cord, spinal meninges, and cauda equina tumors, United States, 2004‐2007." Cancer 118 (2012): 4220-4227.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

2. Sandalcioglu, I. Erol, Anja Hunold, Oliver Müller and Hischam Bassiouni, et al. "Spinal meningiomas: Critical review of 131 surgically treated patients." Eur Spine J 17 (2008): 1035-1041.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

3. Solero, Carlo L., Maurizio Fornari, Sergio Giombini and Giovanni Lasio, et al. "Spinal meningiomas: Review of 174 operated cases." Neurosurgery 25 (1989): 153-160.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

4. Sayagués, José María, María Dolores Tabernero, Angel Maíllo and Osvaldo Trelles et al. "Microarray-based analysis of spinal versus intracranial meningiomas: Different clinical, biological, and genetic characteristics associated with distinct patterns of gene expression." J Neuropathol ExpNeurol 65 (2006): 445-454.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

5. Foda, Abd AlRahman Mohammad, Samia Rafi, Nadeem Ikram and Mariya Syed Alam, et al. "Spinal vs. intracranial meningioma: Aberrant expression of CD10 and inhibin with relation to clinicopathological features and prognosis." Pathol Oncol Res 26 (2020): 1313-1318.

   Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at