During the procedure, the surgeon creates an opening of the lamina above and below the spinal disc to relieve nerve compression. If some of your pain is caused by a herniated disc, then the surgeon can also address this concern at the same time.
The lamina is part of the bony arch of the vertebra that protects the spinal cord from damage. Almost every one of us will experience spinal degeneration and has spinal stenosis, meaning narrowing of spinal canal from fattening (hypertrophic) spinal ligaments, bone spur (facet arthritis), or bulging or herniations with osteophytes. Spinal canal narrowing will put pressure on the spinal nerves, it can cause back pain that radiates down the lower leg, along with other symptoms.

Patients experiencing such symptoms may be offered this decompressive surgical solution. During laminectomy procedure the surgeon removes part of the lamina, fatty ligaments, bone spurs, and/or herniated disc materials, relieving pressure on the nerves by giving them more space within the spinal column.