Interspinous Process Decompression

Interspinous Process or Inter-Laminar Decompression
An Interspinous Process Decompression or Inter-Laminar Decompression are Minimally Invasive surgical procedure designed to alleviate the painful symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. A small device is placed into the back of the spine and prevents the spine from bending too far backward at the area of the lumbar spine that has been narrowed due to Spinal Stenosis. For patients with Spinal Stenosis, this backward position is often a position can cause pain in the back and into the extremities.

Minimally Invasive Approach
In this procedure, a small incision is made at the levels of the lumbar spine where the Spinal Stenosis is present. Using a muscle-sparing technique, small surgical instruments and a surgical camera are slipped between the muscle fibers and into the spinal space. Using fluoroscopic guidance, the surgeon will then identify the bony protrusions at the back of the spine (spinous processes) and use a small surgical instrument designed to create a larger space between the spinous processes. Next, an implant is inserted into this space that allows for continuous decompression of the spine.

The design of the implant prevents the spine from bending too far backward at the segments that are treated. However, this procedure still maintains the ability of movements like bending forward (flexion) and rotating the lower back.