Posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery
Spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis - Posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery Factor
RMA definition
A 'surgical procedure involving the removal of the posterior elements of the spine such as laminectomy, laminotomy or facetectomy'.
General information
The posterior elements of the spine refer to the bony structures at the back of the spine and visible in the diagram of lumbar vertebra.
Posterior spinal decompression surgery relates to the removal of bone (by scraping or cutting) and may be undertaken to help release pressure when the bony structures impinge on an intervertebral disc or spinal nerves causing symptoms. It may also be performed in cases where a disc is extensively damaged and the surgeon needs greater access to perform a discectomy. It does not include the more common form of spinal 'keyhole' surgery undertaken for bulging discs as the posterior elements of the spine (bony structures) remain intact in this procedure.
Posterior spinal decompression is a major surgical procedure that would be documented in medical records.
Last reviewed for CCPS 16 September 2011.
Preliminary questions [24404]
29393 there is some evidence that posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.
28743 the condition under consideration involves the lumbar spine.
24371 the veteran has undergone posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery at some time.
29394 the veteran underwent posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery at the level of the vertebrae affected by the condition under consideration.
29395 the veteran underwent posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery at the level of the vertebrae affected by the condition under consideration for an illness or injury which is identifiable. [Default true]
24375 the veteran has established the causal connection between the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery and VEA service for lumbar spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis.
24373 the veteran underwent posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery for the identified illness or injury before the clinical onset of condition under consideration at that level.
24377 the veteran has established the causal connection between the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery and VEA service for the clinical onset of lumbar spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis.
24379 the veteran has established the causal connection between the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery and operational service for the clinical onset of lumbar spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis.
or
24382 the veteran has established the causal connection between the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery and eligible service for the clinical onset of lumbar spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis.
or
7334 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.
7335 the condition under consideration permanently worsened.
24374 the veteran underwent posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery for the identified illness or injury within the 10 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration at that level.
24378 the veteran has established the causal connection between the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery and VEA service for the clinical worsening of lumbar spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis.
24380 the veteran has established the causal connection between the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery and operational service for the clinical worsening of lumbar spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis.
or
24381 the veteran has established the causal connection between the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery and eligible service for the clinical worsening of lumbar spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis.
Clinical onset and operational service [24379]
24383 the identified illness or injury for which the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery was undergone is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [24382]
24384 the identified illness or injury for which the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery was undergone is causally related to eligible service.
Clinical worsening and operational service [24380]
24383 the identified illness or injury for which the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery was undergone is causally related to operational service.
24385 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury for which the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery was undergone is causally related.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [24381]
24384 the identified illness or injury for which the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery was undergone is causally related to eligible service.
24386 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury for which the posterior lumbar spinal decompression surgery was undergone is causally related.
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/spondylolisthesis-and-spondylolysis-n039-m430m431q7621q7622/rulebase-spondylolisthesis-and-spondylolysis/posterior-lumbar-spinal-decompression-surgery