What is spinal decompression surgery?

Surgery will take 1 to 1½ hours, depending on how much tissue the doctor cuts away. If a spinal fusion is done at the same time, surgery will take 2 to 4 hours.

Laminotomy and laminectomy are two surgeries to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves. This is also called decompression surgery. As you get older or if you have an injury, the opening for the spine gets smaller. This condition is called stenosis.

During a laminectomy, the doctor removes pieces of the bony covering (the lamina) and other tissues that are squeezing the spinal cord and/or nerves. A laminotomy removes less of the bony covering. Both surgeries make the opening for the spinal cord and nerves larger.

Depending on the type of surgery you have, and your health, you may go home the same day. Or you may stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 days.

As soon as the anesthesia wears off, you can start moving in the hospital. Get up and walk carefully as soon as you can. This will help your body heal. You may shower on the day after surgery. You will have help changing the bandages over your stitches after you bathe.

It depends on the type of work you do, but you will likely be able to return to work in 2 to 4 weeks. If your job requires physical labor, it may take 4 to 8 weeks. Do not drive until your doctor says it's okay.

If you had a spinal fusion done, you may need more time to get back to your usual activities. Sudden twisting movements can slow healing, so be careful. You may need to wear a brace.

You may feel tired for several weeks after surgery. You will feel stiff and sore. But you should feel a little better every day. Daily exercise will help you get back your energy. Try walking. See if you can walk a little bit farther every day.

The doctor will make a cut (incision) over your spine. The muscles around your spine are pulled to the side so the doctor can work on the bones (vertebra) of the spine. The doctor can then trim thickened tissue, such as bulging discs. And the doctor can take out some bone to make the opening for the spinal cord or nerves larger.

Sometimes, after doctors make the opening larger, they will do another type of surgery called spinal fusion. The doctor will insert a small piece of bone from another part of the body or from a bone bank. This piece of bone can help the spine heal. Sometimes small plates and screws are used to keep the bones in place.