Laminectomy

A Laminectomy is a surgery to decompress the nerve elements in the spine. We prefer minimally invasive approaches with a microscope to minimize trauma to the muscles and spine. The surgery is done through the back by removing the posterior bone, allowing entry to the canal. The bone spurs that intrude into the canal with any other excess ligament or protruding disk is removed. The only pupose of this surgery is to relieve pressure on the nerve responsible for leg or arm pain, this does not address spine pain. Use the animation to visualize the sugery.

A laminectomy surgery is a few hours to perform and an overnight or two day stay in the hospital is needed. The pain from surgery lessens by the third day and home physical therapy, walking and easy activity is done. I recommend weaning narcotic pain medications after the first week so as not to mask the pain. Usually recovery is expected in a month then outpatient rehabilitaion takes an additional one or two months. Most patients feel recovered and return to regular activites in three months.