Laminectomy Surgery Recovery

Laminectomy is a form of spinal surgery that may be performed for spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, disc problems, or spinal tumors. With an estimated 490,000 laminectomies performed each year, it’s a prominent procedure for back pain and neurological symptoms. 

Before undergoing laminectomy, it’s important to understand the extent of the recovery process. While healing varies from patient to patient, managing your expectations, clearing your schedule, and preparing your home can facilitate an effective recovery. 

Read on to learn about laminectomy surgery recovery and what you can do to bounce back faster. 

Table of Contents

What is Laminectomy Surgery?

Laminectomy surgery is a type of spinal decompression surgery involving the full or partial removal of the lamina. 

The lamina is the part of the vertebra that links the spinous process to the transverse process. It encloses the back of the spinal cord, offering protection and support. 

In individuals with spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or related spinal conditions, removing some or all of the lamina alleviates pain and neurological symptoms from nerve impingement. This makes laminectomy a widely performed procedure for spinal nerve compression. 

How Serious Is Laminectomy Surgery?

Laminectomy surgery is a serious procedure performed under general anesthesia. 

Laminectomy poses the risk of surgical complications, including:

  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Wound infection
  • Adverse reactions to anesthesia

Additionally, as laminectomy requires the surgeon to access the spine, it poses the risk of nerve damage. Though rare, nerve damage in laminectomy surgery may lead to lasting neurological pain, sometimes referred to as post-decompressive neuropathy. 

Since laminectomy is a major, serious surgery, consulting with an experienced, qualified surgeon is crucial. Factors to consider while choosing a spine surgeon include:

  • Training and education (a spine surgeon should have undergone premedical school, medical school, and a residency in the field)
  • State licensure, and board certification 
  • A focus on spinal surgery within their practice
  • Many positive online reviews
  • The ability to provide testimonials from past patients who underwent a laminectomy
  • Good rapport, with the ability to clearly explain the procedure, their success rates, and potential risks during the consultation

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Laminectomy?

It can take one to two months to recover from a laminectomy. 

The recovery period for laminectomy differs based on the age and overall health of the patient. Additionally, the recovery period is longer for laminectomy with spinal fusion compared to procedures without fusion. 

Stages of Laminectomy Recovery

The recovery process after a laminectomy tends to occur in the following stages:

  1. Hospital Stay: Patients may need to stay in the hospital for one to four days after laminectomy surgery. Remaining in the hospital allows the staff to monitor the patient for complications. 
  2. Home Care: Patients generally need to wait for a few days or weeks to return to light physical activity. In this early stage of recovery, the patient may need assistance around the house. However, the patient is usually advised to practice walking the halls, then up and down the stairs, to begin the recovery process. 
  3. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is an important step in recovering from laminectomy. As soon as your surgeon determines you’re ready, you can begin PT sessions to build strength and regain mobility. 
  4. Return to Work: Depending on your profession, you can return to work a few weeks or months after laminectomy. 
  5. Complete Recovery: Patients may return to all of their normal activities three months to a year after laminectomy. For laminectomy with spinal fusion, a complete recovery typically takes six to 12 months, with significant restrictions on physical activity.  

Can You Walk Normally After Laminectomy?

You can walk normally a few days or weeks after laminectomy. 

Immediately after laminectomy, you may need assistance from another person or a wheeled walker to walk, stand up, or sit down. However, most patients regain the ability to complete the motions alone within a few days or weeks. Additionally, patients are advised to walk and move around gently after laminectomy to avoid the complications of prolonged bed rest. 

While some bed rest after laminectomy is good to help the body heal, excessive bed rest can hinder the healing process. Gentle movement after the surgery promotes blood flow to the treatment site, prevents muscle atrophy, and builds strength. 

How Bad Is the Pain After a Laminectomy?

The pain after a laminectomy is often described as stiffness or soreness. Surgeons generally prescribe medications to manage the pain after a laminectomy, so the discomfort is tolerable.

You can prevent and reduce the pain after a laminectomy by:

  • Closely following all of your physician’s aftercare instructions
  • Preparing your home before the surgery so that you don’t have to reach for essential items
  • Using a heating pad, warm water bottle, or warm cloth to ease soreness around the surgical site (don’t apply heat directly over the site)
  • Taking all prescribed medications as advised
  • Moving around gently after the procedure, as soon as you’re able
  • Attending all physical therapy appointments after the surgery
  • Wearing a brace, if prescribed, particularly while walking or sitting

Does the Bone Grow Back After a Laminectomy?

The bone can grow back after a laminectomy. 

According to a 2019 study published in Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery, bone regrowth after laminectomy and laminotomy most commonly occurs in the lumbar laminae and facets. Bone regrowth has been reported in up to 94% of laminectomy and laminotomy patients. 

With that said, the lamina won’t fully regrow after a laminectomy. While some bone regrowth may occur, it won’t replace the lamina that has been removed. 

In laminectomy with spinal fusion, bone must grow around the graft to fuse the vertebrae. If this growth doesn’t occur, it’s known as failed fusion or pseudoarthrosis, and revision surgery may be required. 

Can You Climb Stairs After Laminectomy?

You can climb stairs a few days or weeks after laminectomy. 

It’s advised to take it easy when climbing stairs after spinal surgery. Don’t attempt to climb stairs until you’ve been comfortably walking around for a few days. Only climb stairs once or twice daily in the first few weeks after the surgery.

Climbing stairs too often in the early stages of your laminectomy recovery may place excess stress on the spine and hinder the body’s healing process. 

Laminectomy and TOPS System

Laminectomy and the TOPS System is a modern treatment option for spondylolisthesis and lumbar spinal stenosis. 

The TOPS System is an alternative to spinal fusion with laminectomy. Spinal fusion permanently fuses the affected vertebrae, which can limit the patient’s mobility and cause adjacent segment degeneration. Spinal fusion also significantly slows down the recovery process and requires a longer hospital stay. 

Regain your mobility with Premia Spine!

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Scott speaks about going to surgery

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TOPS is a dynamic implant that stabilizes the spine without rigid spinal fixation. It creates a controlled range of motion in all directions, allowing patients to return to physical activity much faster and more successfully. In preserving spinal mobility, TOPS also prevents imbalanced stress on the vertebrae, which can lead to adjacent segment degeneration.

The FDA has approved the TOPS System (for lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis) and granted it a superiority-to-fusion claim. Combined with laminectomy, the TOPS System can effectively alleviate lower back pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness.

Find a provider near you today to learn more about laminectomy with TOPS for lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis.