Laminectomy

Your consultant may recommend a laminectomy if you suffer from chronic (long-term) back pain or neck pain that has not improved with non-surgical treatments. You may also need a laminectomy if you have symptoms such as difficulty walking, weakness or numbness in your arms and legs or loss of control of your bladder or bowels.

A laminectomy is commonly used to treat spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal column becomes narrowed, increasing pressure on the nerves and spinal cord.

Spinal stenosis may be caused by:

• Osteoarthritis of the spine
• Herniated (slipped) disc
• Previous injury
• Tumour in the spine
• Congenital defects or diseases of the spine

At your first consultation, you will usually be seen by a consultant spinal neurosurgeon, a doctor specialising in treating conditions affecting the spine.

Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination. They may order diagnostic imaging scans such as an X-ray, CT, or MRI to check the bones and soft tissues of your spine.

Your first consultation is also where we get to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment and encourage you to ask any questions you may have about your diagnosis and possible treatment options.

At the end of your appointment, your consultant will decide if a laminectomy is a suitable procedure for you based on your symptoms, diagnosis, and general health.

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your surgery. If there's anything you're not sure about, or if you have any questions about how to prepare for your surgery, speak to your consultant or call the hospital for advice. Being well-prepared for your surgery will help to ease any anxiety you may have and allow your surgery and recovery to go more smoothly.

Before your surgery, tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies you have and any medication, including over-the-counter medicines you are taking.

Your consultant may tell you to stop taking some medications like blood thinners before your operation. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during and after your surgery.

You will not be able to eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of your operation.

You may feel quite tired and have difficulty performing certain tasks for a while after your surgery. If possible, ask someone to help with household tasks like shopping, cooking, and cleaning for at least the first few days after your surgery.

What lifestyle changes can I make before my surgery?

Being as healthy as possible before your surgery can reduce the risk of complications and speed up your recovery.

To make sure you are as healthy as possible before your surgery:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
• If you smoke, try to stop at least eight weeks before your surgery
• Avoid alcohol for a few days before and after your surgery. Alcohol thins the blood and can increase the risk of bleeding
• Take regular exercise

Do I need to prepare my home for after my surgery?

Before your surgery, prepare your home to make things as easy as possible during your recovery. Some things you can do include:

• Stock up on easy-to-prepare foods
• Prepare single-portion meals that can be easily heated up
• Remove items you could trip over such as low tables, magazine stands and rugs
• Keep things you use frequently like books, medications, and the TV remote control within easy reach

Laminectomy is normally performed under general anaesthetic which means you'll be asleep for the procedure. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, you will be positioned on your side or stomach for the surgery.

Your consultant will start by making an incision (cut) into your back where the vertebrae to be operated on are located. The muscles of your back will be moved out of the way to allow your consultant to access your vertebrae.

Your consultant will remove the lamina, and any abnormalities such as bone spurs, tumours, or all or part of a herniated disc.

In some cases, your consultant may join two or more vertebrae together using a technique called spinal fusion to make them more stable.

The incision is closed using sutures or surgical staples and a sterile dressing is applied.

A laminectomy normally takes around two hours but may take longer depending on what is done during your surgery.

Recovery from any type of surgery is different for everyone and depends on factors such as your age, general health and whether or not there were any complications during your surgery.

Your consultant will give you an estimated recovery timeline based on your individual circumstances.

After your surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing will be monitored closely until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You will then be taken to your room.

Around twenty-four hours after your operation, you will be seen by a member of our physiotherapy team who will help you to get out of bed and walk around. They will give you some simple exercises to do at home during your recovery and show you how to perform daily tasks like getting in and out of bed and climbing stairs safely.

It's normal to experience significant pain after your laminectomy. Your consultant will prescribe pain medication to manage this. Please tell a member of your healthcare team if you have any pain after your surgery.

How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?

You will normally spend one or two nights in hospital after your laminectomy, but this may be more depending on what was done during your procedure. Talk to your consultant about how long you can expect to stay in hospital after your surgery.

Will I be able to drive home?

You will not be able to drive yourself home from the hospital after your laminectomy. You will need to make arrangements for someone to collect you and take care of you for the first few days after your surgery.

How soon can I go back to work?

How soon you can go back to work after your surgery depends on what was done during your procedure, your individual recovery, and the type of job you do. If your job is sedentary like office work, you may be able to go back to work between four and eight weeks after your surgery. If your job involves driving, heavy lifting, or strenuous activity, it may be three to six months before you can return to work.

Talk to your consultant about when you can expect to return to work after your laminectomy.

How soon can I drive?

You should not drive until you can safely control your vehicle and perform an emergency stop without pain. Most people are able to drive between two and six weeks after laminectomy surgery.

You may be taking strong pain medications that could make you drowsy or impair your reaction times for a while after your surgery. Do not drive if you are affected by these or any other medications. Check with your consultant and your insurance company before driving after your laminectomy.

When will I be back to normal?

Recovery from a laminectomy is a gradual process that is different for everyone. Rest for the first few days after your surgery and increase your activity level gradually over the next few weeks. Stop if you feel any pain or discomfort, or when you feel tired.

You should avoid heavy lifting, bending, twisting or strenuous activity until your consultant tells you it's safe. You can expect to feel more tired than usual and to have some post-operative pain for up to six weeks after your surgery.

If you had a spinal fusion at the same time as your laminectomy, recovery may take between two and four months.

As with all types of surgery, laminectomy carries a small risk of complications. Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications before your surgery and answer any questions you may have about your procedure. Being as well-informed as possible about what to expect from your surgery will help put your mind at rest and allow you to make an informed decision, so please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Possible complications of any surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Adverse reactions to the anaesthetic

Possible complications specific to having a laminectomy include:

• Damage to nerves or blood vessels
• Damage to the spinal cord
• Spinal fluid leak
• Bowel and bladder problems (incontinence)
• The procedure may be unsuccessful in relieving symptoms
• Worsening back pain, particularly after spinal fusion surgery (post-laminectomy syndrome)
• Failure to fuse the spinal bones (if you had a spinal fusion)

We answer some of your most frequently asked questions about laminectomy.

Is a laminectomy the same as a discectomy?

No. A laminectomy is a procedure to remove a section of the vertebra (backbone) whereas a discectomy is an operation to remove all or part of a herniated disc (the rubbery pads between the bones of the spine). A discectomy and a laminectomy are sometimes performed at the same time.

Can post-laminectomy syndrome be cured?

Post-laminectomy syndrome, otherwise known as failed back surgery syndrome, is a condition where there is chronic back or neck pain after back surgery such as a laminectomy. The cause is not fully understood, but it may be caused by damage to the nerves during surgery or a build-up of scar tissue after the operation. It most commonly occurs following spinal fusion surgery.

Post-laminectomy syndrome can often be treated successfully using non-surgical treatments such as facet joint injections, nerve blocks, and spinal cord stimulation.

How dangerous is a laminectomy?

A laminectomy is a generally safe procedure, but as with all types of surgery, there is a small risk of complications. Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications to you before your surgery so that you can make an informed decision.

How soon can I exercise after a laminectomy?

How soon you can exercise after your laminectomy depends on what was done during your procedure as well as factors such as your age, general health, and recovery. You should avoid bending, twisting, heavy lifting or vigorous exercise until your consultant says it's safe. Speak to your consultant about when you can start exercising after your surgery.

At Circle Health Group we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about spinal surgery, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in March 2023. Next review due March 2026.

1. Laminectomy, John Hopkins
2. Laminectomy: Surgery for Back Pain, Cleveland Clinic
3. Post-laminectomy syndrome: Non-Surgical Treatments for Failed Back Surgery, National Spine & Pain Centers
4. Laminectomy, NIH