Our New York Spinal Injury Lawyer staff at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC has learned that approximately half of a person’s body weight is supported by the spinal column and the other half is supported by the muscles and ligaments, which align the spinal column. The spinal column is composed of numerous bones (vertebrae) and jelly-like cushions (intervertebral disc) and is held in alignment by multiple muscles, ligaments and cartilage. Each vertebra has a bony arch (laminae), which forms a channel to contain and protect the spinal cord from spinal cord trauma. Between each vertebra resides an intervertebral disc, which provides shock-absorbing protection to the vertebrae. The intervertebral disc also maintains the measured spacing (foramina) between the vertebrae.
Trauma resulting from an car accident, brutal assault, recreational accident or slip and fall accident can lead to a herniated disc or bulging disc which decreases the size of the foramina. Additionally, with many of these types of injury, bone spurs may begin to grow inside the spinal canal. Either condition can create compression of the spinal nerves and spinal cord trauma. This compression can elicit severe pain, numbness and weakness. A surgical procedure, known as a laminectomy, can relieve the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves through the removal of the intervertebral disc, piece of vertebra or other structure leading to the compression. Back injury is a serious condition and can happen as a result of a boat accident and also could occur in something like an airplane crash.
Our skilled New York Injury Lawyer staff states that a laminectomy is a surgical intervention of the spine to remove a portion of the bony arch of the vertebra known as the lamina. This procedure is performed to decompress the spinal column by allowing the soft tissues inside the spinal canal to expand or to allow greater access to the deeper tissues within the spinal canal. In some injury cases, spinal fusion is required to stabilize the spinal column following laminectomy. A laminectomy or discectomy also carries potential complications, as in:
If you are suffering from complications performed from a laminectomy, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against the negligent surgeon or other healthcare provider. Contact our hard-working New York Personal Injury Lawyer team to discuss your options. If your injury happened on the job, workers compensation is involved and if a doctor is guilty of medical malpractice is a factor; you’ll certainly need a Lawyer.
Laminectomy is commonly utilized as an elective surgery rather than an emergency surgery. Typical recovery time for a laminectomy varies from days to months depending on the type of laminectomy performed. Normal results are dependent on the initial reason for laminectomy. Laminectomy carries an average 64% rate of success. Long-term treatment involves physical therapy, graduated home exercises and pain medications.
If you or someone you love is suffering from a spinal injury requiring a laminectomy, contact our New York Spinal Injury Attorney team with Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC for a free initial case evaluation. Please call us at 800.696.9529, online or contact an office in Nassau County or Suffolk County in Long Island or one our offices in New York including Manhattan, Westchester County, the Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, or Brooklyn.