What Is Lumbar Decompression?
Lumbar decompression, or laminectomy, treats spinal stenosis by removing the lamina and thickened ligament tissue narrowing the spinal canal, creating more room for the nerves traveling to the legs. It directly addresses neurogenic claudication — the leg pain, cramping, or weakness that worsens with standing or walking and improves with sitting.
Who It's For
Appropriate for patients with symptomatic spinal stenosis that hasn't responded adequately to physical therapy or epidural steroid injections. When imaging or exam findings suggest coexisting instability, a fusion procedure may be added to the decompression for lasting stability.
How the Procedure Is Performed
Through a posterior midline incision, the surgeon removes the lamina and thickened ligamentum flavum at the narrowed level or levels, directly enlarging the spinal canal. Facet joints are preserved as much as possible to maintain spinal stability when fusion isn't otherwise indicated.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Hospital stays are typically one to two days, and select patients are candidates for outpatient surgery. Early walking is encouraged immediately after surgery, as it's often the activity that improves most quickly. Most patients return to routine activity over several weeks, guided by physical therapy as needed.