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Old 11-16-2011, 04:56 AM
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mmglobal mmglobal is offline
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The term laminectomy is somewhat ambiguous. I've heard minor decompression surgeries that undercut the lamina and have only minimal removal of bone, described as laminotomies. Also referred to as laminectomy is a full on 'hemi' laminectomy where they remove the entire spineous process and much of the lamina. This procedure will make you inelegible for ADR because structures needed for the stability of the ADR have been too severely compromised.

Your next step will likely be dictated by how severely your prior surgeries have changed things. I'm hoping that your surgeries were less invasive and that you have the full array of options.

Good luck navigating the process of sorting out all of the info you'll be receiving. Unfortunately, much of what you'll here will be colored by reimbursement issues. It would be great if we could make our decisions with accurate info and access to all reasonable option. Most of us don't have that luxery.

Mark
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1997 MVA
2000 L4-5 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy
2001 L5-S1 Micro-d/lami
2002 L4-S1 Charite' ADR - SUCCESS!
2009 C3-C4, C5-C6-C7, T1-T2 ProDisc-C Nova
Summer 2009, more bad thoracic discs!
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