Spine Surgery
Laminectomy
Removal of part of the vertebral arch to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, typically for spinal stenosis.
Removal of part of the vertebral arch to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, typically for spinal stenosis.
At a glance
- In hospital
- 4 days
- Total stay
- 16 days
- Cost
- Quoted after clinical assessment
Part of the vertebral arch is removed to take pressure off the spinal cord or nerve roots. It is the standard operation for spinal stenosis — the narrowing that makes walking any distance painful and forces you to stop and lean forward.
Who it usually helps
Patients whose leg pain and heaviness come on with walking and ease when they sit or bend forward, and whose MRI shows narrowing that matches. It reliably improves walking distance; it improves back pain far less predictably.
What the operation involves
One to three hours under general anaesthetic depending on how many levels. If the spine is also unstable a fusion may be added — ask in advance whether that is likely in your case.
Recovery and what to expect
Two to four days in hospital and walking from the day after surgery. Most of the improvement in walking distance is apparent within weeks. Heavy lifting is restricted for six weeks.
What we arrange around it
Around two and a half weeks.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Whether a procedure is right for you is a decision for a qualified clinician who has seen your reports.
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