Discectomy: This procedure usually consists of removing herniated disc material that presses the nerves or spinal cord. Discectomy is a decompressive type of surgery.

Laminectomy/ laminotomy: An opening over the nerve or spinal cord is performed to relieve compression of those structures.  The terms laminectomy and laminotomy correlate to the location of said opening in the posterior elements of the spine and their size. This is also a type of decompression.

Spinal decompression and fusion: It is the most common spine surgery performed in the U.S., and it’s performed to take pressure off of “pinched” nerves and/or the spinal cord and to stabilize the spine. During the procedure, pressure is relieved, and the spine is stabilized using hardware that is anchored to bony elements of the spine. This procedure combines decompression and spine stabilization.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: In a way, this is a spinal decompression and fusion procedure. The difference is that it is performed from the front of the spine, as opposed to the most common decompression and fusion procedures, which are generally performed from the back.

Also, as indicated by the name, it is performed on the neck. It has earned a separate position on this list because it is very commonly performed. Indications include nerves or the spinal cord pinching in the cervical spine. This part of the spine is vulnerable to compression of neurological structures coming from the disc, so we remove the disc, restore the disc space by putting a spacer between the vertebrae and use instrumentation to accelerate healing of the vertebrae with each other, so-called fusion.  This is another procedure that combines decompression and spine stabilization.

“My approach to spine care is empathetic and informative. I see myself as an educator; navigating and empowering my patients to become active decision-makers in their spine care.”

– Dr. Antonio Webb, MD ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐