Attorney General Merrick Garland is scheduled for surgery to treat spinal stenosis this weekend, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department announced Monday.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco will be in charge until Mr. Garland’s return the following week, Politico reported.
The announcement comes out of precaution after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced severe criticism for failing to tell the White House he was hospitalized for prostate cancer surgery and subsequent complications.
According to a press statement from Justice Department spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa, Mr. Garland’s procedure is minimally invasive and is expected to last around 90 minutes.
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal of the lower back begins to narrow. When this happens, the narrowing places pressure on the spinal cord or nerves that run to the muscles. While spinal stenosis can occur in any part of the spine, it is most common in the lower back.
Symptoms of spinal stenosis include trouble walking distances or feeling the need to lean forward to relieve pressure off the lower back. People with spinal stenosis may also experience pain or numbness in their legs. Individuals with spinal stenosis may describe the pain in different ways, from stabbing or electric to burning or a constant dull ache. The Cleveland Clinic notes that it varies from person to person. In more severe cases, people may have difficulty controlling their bowels or bladder.
Spinal stenosis is typically a result of osteoarthritis, which occurs when the joints wear down over time. Most people who develop spinal stenosis do so starting at the age of 50; women have a higher risk of developing it than men. According to the Cleveland Clinic, spinal stenosis is relatively common, with degenerative spinal changes affecting up to 95 percent of people over the age of 50. Nearly two-thirds of people older than 65 undergoing spinal surgery are treating spinal stenosis.
Risk factors for spinal stenosis include having a narrow spinal canal, injuries to the spine, spinal tumors, certain bone diseases, past spinal surgeries, and rheumatoid arthritis.
While there is no cure for spinal stenosis, there are treatment options, including surgery. Prior to surgery, health care professionals work with patients to create a treatment plan that could include acupuncture, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroid injections.
Surgical options may include removing bone spurs or widening the space between the vertebrae. The lower back can also be stabilized during surgery by fusing some of the vertebrae.
What Does the Surgical Procedure Entail?
Mr. Garland’s procedure is known as an interlaminar decompression, The Washington Post reported. This surgical intervention is recommended when nonsurgical treatments haven’t helped spinal stenosis and aims to improve pain and numbness.
During the surgery, a section of bone is removed from one of the vertebrae (laminectomy), reducing pressure on the affected nerve. Other parts of the procedure could include removing a section of a damaged disc or fusing two or more vertebrae.
Recovery from laminectomies typically ranges from one to four days. Most people can walk without crutches within a day of undergoing the operation, although more strenuous activities must be avoided for up to six weeks.
Risks of the surgery include infection at the surgical site, blood clots, and damage to the spinal nerves or spinal cord, resulting in paralysis of one or both legs.