Recovery From Laminectomy

Sep 14, 2024

Laminectomy is a surgical procedure that requires a significant recovery period. Even if you undergo a minimally invasive form of laminectomy, which involves less tissue damage, you’ll need to rest and avoid certain activities as your body heals. Understanding what to expect during your recovery from laminectomy can assuage any concerns and help you prepare for the post-operative stage.

Keep reading for a complete overview of laminectomy recovery and how to support your body’s healing process.

How Bad Is Pain After a Lumbar Laminectomy?

Pain after a lumbar laminectomy is comparable to pain from other spinal procedures. While you can expect to experience back soreness and stiffness, your surgeon will likely prescribe pain medications to make it manageable for the first few weeks.

If your surgeon doesn’t prescribe medications for pain management, you can ask whether over-the-counter painkillers are right for you. Follow your doctor’s instructions closely, and only take medications as advised.

Managing Pain After a Lumbar Laminectomy

Aside from pain medications, you can implement various other remedies to manage discomfort after a laminectomy, including:

Heating pads and warm water bottles

Heat relaxes stiff muscles and helps alleviate soreness after surgery. It also improves blood flow to the treatment area, which can help support recovery. In the first few weeks after the procedure, keep your heating pad set to low and don’t apply heat directly over the incision. Additionally, never fall asleep with a heating pad on!

Ice packs

Applying ice packs can help bring down pain and inflammation, especially in the early recovery stages. Make sure to wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel before using it, and ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Never apply ice directly to your skin, as it can cause skin damage.

Gentle movement

While you may assume that bedrest will help with your pain after laminectomy, the opposite is actually true. Bedrest causes muscle stiffness and reduces blood flow to the damaged tissue. This can lead to worsened pain and a slower recovery.

Don’t attempt any exercises until your doctor clears you to do so. However, you can get up and take short walks soon after a lumbar laminectomy, which can help reduce pain. Additionally, targeted stretches and strengthening exercises from a physical therapist offer pain relief.

Relaxation

Many people feel tense and stressed out after lumbar laminectomy. After all, it is a major surgery that puts your body through significant trauma. Therefore, relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, meditation, and gentle stretches may help lower your pain (and stress) levels after a laminectomy.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Laminectomy Surgery?

It takes between two to six months to fully recover from laminectomy surgery. Recovery times vary depending on the patient’s age, medical history, and how many spinal levels are operated on.

The recovery process for laminectomy involves several stages, including:

Early recovery: After staying in the hospital for up to a few days, you’ll have significant activity restrictions for one to two weeks. During this time, your movements may be limited to walking around the house, and you won’t be able to lift objects weighing more than a few pounds.
Return to work: If your job doesn’t involve physical labor, you may be able to return to work after two to four weeks. If your job is moderately physically demanding, you may need to wait six to eight weeks. For physically strenuous jobs, you may need to wait up to 12 weeks to return to work after a laminectomy.
Return to exercise: Patients are generally cleared to return to gentle, low-impact exercise four to six weeks after laminectomy surgery. Your doctor will likely recommend working with a physical therapist during this period. A PT can work with you to regain muscle strength and mobility without damaging the healing tissue.

Also, laminectomy with spinal fusion has a longer recovery period than laminectomy without fusion. If fusion is performed to stabilize the affected vertebrae, you’ll likely have a longer hospital stay, and you may need to wait longer to return to work and exercise. This is because bone healing is an involved, demanding process for the body.

What Are the Do’s and Don’ts After Laminectomy?

The do’s and don’ts after laminectomy include:

Do: Follow all of your doctor’s aftercare instructions.

This is an absolute must after laminectomy! Every patient is different, and your physician will provide personalized aftercare instructions according to your condition, medical history, family history, and unique needs. Aftercare requirements can also differ based on the details of your laminectomy, like how many spinal levels are affected and whether or not spinal fusion is performed.

Don’t: Return to work or physical activity without being cleared by your doctor first.

It can be tempting to return to work and exercise as soon as possible after spinal surgery. But, even if you’re starting to feel better, doing so without clearance from your doctor may hinder your recovery process. So, always play it safe and check with your physician.

Do: Stay mobile with short walks, gentle stretches, and strengthening exercises.

Taking short walks and completing PT-recommended stretches and strengthening exercises after laminectomy can accelerate the healing process. Gentle movements prevent muscle tension, preserve your mobility, and boost blood flow throughout the body.

Don’t: Stay in bed for days or weeks on end.

What Are the Do’s and Don’ts After Laminectomy

Some rest is necessary after a laminectomy, but don’t stay in bed longer than you have to. Bedrest can tighten up your muscles, reduce your mobility, and even lead to muscle atrophy.

Do: Eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.

Eating a nutritious, well-rounded diet after a laminectomy can help manage inflammation and support the body’s healing process. Your body needs nutrients to recover effectively, and your diet in the weeks after the surgery can have a significant impact on your ability to heal.

Don’t: Smoke or drink alcohol.

Smoking and drinking alcohol are detrimental to your spine’s recovery. Nicotine curbs blood flow throughout the body, while alcohol weakens the immune system.

Can You Live a Normal Life After a Laminectomy?

Yes, you can live a normal life after a laminectomy! However, you’ll need to make lifestyle adjustments during the recovery process.

Many patients can return to all of their normal activities pain-free after a laminectomy. Your physician will provide aftercare instructions to ensure a healthy recovery, while your PT can provide exercises to restore your mobility. By implementing your care team’s recommendations, you can ensure the best possible recovery from a laminectomy and support your spinal health for years to come.