Lumbar laminectomy is a surgical procedure performed to treat the symptoms of central spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal. The surgery aims to relieve nerve compression and improve leg function.
Back Surgery
Is surgery for neck or back pain necessary? Sometimes. It is reasonable to consider spine surgery if the pain has not diminished after months of non-surgical treatment, if pain does not respond to medication, or if you're unable to complete basic daily activities. Some surgery options are minimally invasive (microdiscectomy for a herniated disc) and allow for quick recovery, while other types of surgery (a posterolateral fusion for degenerative disc disease) are more extensive.
In the first two weeks after a lumbar microdiscectomy, patients are concerned with surgical incision care, avoiding specific activities, and adequate rest.
About 2 to 6 weeks after a lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, patients may return to light daily activities and begin a regular and guided physical therapy program to regain strength in their lower back.
A return to regular activities, such as driving, household chores, and outdoor work may be safe after about 6 weeks following a lumbar microdiscectomy surgery.
Lumbar Spine Surgery
Decompression and spinal fusion are the two most common lumbar spine surgeries for patients with lower back pain and leg pain.
Explore non-surgical alternatives to lumbar spine surgery, including specialized conservative treatments, physical therapy, and pain management options.
A microdiscectomy is usually performed on an outpatient basis, with patients returning to a normal level of daily activity quickly after the back surgery.
Scar tissue is not likely the cause of pain after surgery if the recurrent pain appears years after spine surgery.
One- and two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) can be safely done in an outpatient setting for the right surgical candidate.