Lumbar Laminectomy

About Lumbar Laminectomy

Lumbar laminectomy is a decompression surgery performed to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves in the lower back caused by spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that commonly develops with age as ligaments thicken, discs bulge, and bone spurs form. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the lamina, the bony arch covering the back of the affected vertebrae, along with any thickened ligament tissue contributing to the narrowing, creating more space for the compressed nerves. This typically relieves the leg pain, numbness, heaviness, and reduced walking tolerance that are characteristic of lumbar spinal stenosis, symptoms that often worsen with standing or walking and ease with sitting or bending forward. The procedure can usually be performed through a single incision, and in cases involving multiple levels or evidence of spinal instability, it may be combined with fusion to maintain proper alignment. Most patients are mobilized within a day of surgery, with physical therapy supporting a gradual return to walking and daily activity over the following weeks. India's spine surgery programs offer lumbar laminectomy using modern minimally invasive techniques where appropriate, aimed at reducing tissue disruption and speeding recovery.