Lumbar Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis

Laminectomy Video

By far the most common standard surgical technique to address symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis is lumbar decompression of the nerve roots (a lumbar laminectomy), with the addition of a spinal fusion if there is accompanying instability (degenerative spondylolisthesis).

Lumbar Decompression and Spinal Fusion Surgeries

• In a decompression, the surgery removes part of the lamina, and then undercuts the facet joints to give the exiting nerve root more space.

• Fusion surgery adds placing bone alongside the spine in order to “spot weld” (fuse) the two spinal segments together. This adds stability to the section of the spine treated with the decompressive lumbar laminectomy. Typically, fusion is only done if the spine is unstable. This extra movement causes wear and tear on the soft tissues, leading to irritation and pain.

  
  

  The most common cause of spinal instability accompanied by spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine is degenerative spondylolisthesis or the need for a wide decompression which might lead to instability. If a fusion is necessary, the surgery for lumbar stenosis is much more involved.

After a fusion, the patient will need to let the bone fusion take place before resuming activities such as golf. This generally takes at least 6 months. The patient might well see improvement for up to one year.

For those who choose surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis, the good news is that lumbar laminectomy, the most common surgery for spinal stenosis, has a high success rate (most literature puts it at about 80%). Also in most cases lumbar decompression surgery allows people to return to a more active and pain free lifestyle.

For complete information on lumbar laminectomy, see:

• Lumbar Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis
• Lumbar Laminectomy Video

• Article written By:
• Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD

March 5, 2009

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