Laminectomy

Dr. Jonathan Hall

Dr. Jonathan Hall

Dr. Hall is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon that specializes in treating patients that suffer from neck pain or back pain. He is able to perform minimally invasive spine surgery and the most complex procedures.

What is a Laminectomy?

A Laminectomy is a surgery that removes the lamina in order to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. There can be several reasons a Laminectomy surgery may be needed such as Spinal Stenosis, Herniated Discs, or Spinal Injuries. This is considered a major surgery and the last resort if conservative methods of treatment doesn’t work. Sometimes a bony growth called Bone Spurs can also be a reason why a Laminectomy may be needed.

Who should get a Laminectomy?

  1. Spinal Stenosis: This is one of the most common reasons for a laminectomy. Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord and nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, or weakness, typically in the legs.

  2. Herniated Disc: If other treatments for a herniated disc are ineffective, a laminectomy can be performed to remove or relieve pressure on the pinched nerve.

  3. Symptomatic Relief: Patients suffering from chronic back or leg pain due to nerve compression can experience significant relief after a laminectomy. This relief can enhance mobility and improve the overall quality of life.

  4. Conservative Treatments Not Effective: If conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or injections don’t bring relief, surgery like laminectomy may be recommended.

  5. Tumors: In cases where there are tumors pressing against the spinal cord, a laminectomy can be performed to remove them.

  6. Spondylolisthesis: This condition, where one vertebra slips over the one below it, may compress the nerve roots or spinal cord. A laminectomy can alleviate this compression.

  7. Improved Mobility: By alleviating nerve or spinal cord pressure, patients often find they can move more easily and comfortably post-surgery.

  8. Safety and Efficacy: While any surgery comes with risks, laminectomy has a long history of being a well-understood and frequently performed procedure with a good success rate.

In summary, if someone is experiencing chronic back or leg pain due to spinal conditions that compress the nerve roots or spinal cord, a laminectomy may offer significant relief and improve their quality of life. As with any surgery, the decision to undergo a laminectomy should be made in consultation with a qualified spine surgeon or neurosurgeon, who can provide a comprehensive evaluation and recommend the best treatment options.

How is a Laminectomy Surgery Done in Tampa?

Laminectomy FusionAt Florida Surgery Consultants, we perform Laminectomy surgeries often. Our Neurosurgeons Dr. Jonathan Hall and Dr. Donna Saatman are experts when it comes to performing Laminectomy surgeries. In total, they have over 70+ years of performing Laminectomies. 

In the past, this surgery was done in a hospital and required an overnight stay. Today, our Neurosurgeons perform a Laminectomy in an outpatient surgery center in located in Tampa, Florida. This means that there is no need for an overnight stay. Generally, the procedure takes a little over an hour.

First, general anesthesia will be administered. Once you are under the surgeon will make an incision where the lamina needs to be removed. The surgeon will then spread your muscles and then proceed with a surgical device to remove the lamina. If a herniated disc needs to be removed the surgeon will also remove the herniated disc by performing a discectomy. If the spine needs to be stabilized the surgeon may also perform a spinal fusion. 

There are many different variables when it comes to getting a Laminectomy surgery. Every single case is different depending on the cause of the patient’s chronic back pain. 

What happens after a Laminectomy

After your Laminectomy surgery, you will be moved into the recovery room where one of the nurses will monitor your heart rate and check on the movement of your arms and legs. The surgeon may prescribe some medication in order the help with the pain. Physical Therapy will also be recommend in order to have a faster and better recovery process. Before you are released, the nurse will also schedule a post operative appointment usually a few weeks after your surgery in order to check on your recovery process and also see how the incision is healed.

Returning to work will depend primarily on how much your job requires you to perform physical activity. If there is not much physical activity needed and you work at a desk job you can return to work in a few weeks. If a spinal fusion was performed, the recovery process will be longer. The spinal fusion has to fully be fused together before you can start going back to work.

Success Rate of Laminectomy Surgery

Neck PainThe overall success rate of Laminectomy surgeries are high. It is said that almost 90% of the patients who have a Laminectomy surgery get pain relief. The goal of the Laminectomy surgery is to provide pain relief due to the spinal nerves being compressed. The long term success of a Laminectomy after 10 years is over 75%. As the last resort to treating a patient’s chronic back pain. A Laminectomy is proven to help many patients.

Laminectomy Surgery Consultations in Florida

If you have tried conservative treatment such as chiropractic care, physical therapy, or Yoga to combat your chronic back pain and still have not got pain relief, contact Florida Surgery Consultants. Whether you require a minimally invasive spine procedure such as a Micro-discectomy or a Percutaneous Disc surgery or a Complex Spine procedure such as a Spinal Fusion or a TLIF, we can help. Every patient’s back pain is different and what the cause is always different. With Florida Surgery Consultants our Neurosurgeons have the ability to figure out the puzzle and get rid of your back pain.

Currently, we have offices located in Tampa, Lakeland, Ocala, Gainesville and Bradenton. Contact our office at (888) 411-6824 or use the consultation form.

Laminectomy General Questions and FAQs

What is the recovery time for a Laminectomy?

The recovery time for a laminectomy is generally anywhere from a month to a month and a half. This is due to the fusion fully recovering. The pain levels will go down after the surgery, but the full recovery will take 4 weeks.

When can I return to work after a Laminectomy?

It depends on the type of work you do, if your job has lots of heavy lifting using your back you may not be able to return to that job. As for a simple desk job you may be able to return to work as early as 3 days.

What is the success rate of a Laminectomy surgery?

Typically, the success rate for Laminectomy surgery is around 80% for positive results.

When will the Post Op Be Scheduled?

After surgery, our nurses will schedule a post-op appointment with our surgeon that performed the procedure. This is usually 2-3 weeks after your surgery.

What do I need to do to prepare for surgery?

Before surgery, we ask you to stop taking anti-inflammatory medication at least 10 days before surgery. There are also some vitamins that you may want to avoid such as Vitamin K, fish oil, and CoQ10. Please give us a call to find out what other vitamins/medications you may want to avoid. 

How much will a fusion surgery limit my mobility?

A one-level fusion does not limit much mobility, it is estimated that 5-7% mobility is lost. If there is more than a one-level fusion, more mobility will be lost.

When will I be able to drive after a Laminectomy?

Generally, most people are able to get behind the wheel and drive after 1 to 2 weeks. Of course, it also depends on the age of the patient, and if the patient has been doing physical therapy. The younger the patient is and if the patient is doing physical therapy, the faster the patient will be able to return to driving.

Our Neurosurgical Spine Surgery Team

Currently on staff, we have three Neurosurgeons that specialize in spine surgery. We maintain seven outpatient surgery centers in convenient locations around central Florida. If you have the option, you’ll want to find a neurosurgeon rather than an orthopedic surgeon for spine surgery. If you want to see their credentials click their profiles. 

Neurosurgeons close to me

Dr. Jonathan Hall, MD

Board Certified Neurosurgeon - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Florida Surgery Consultants New Neurosurgeon Dr. Donna Saatman

Dr. Donna Saatman, MD

Board Certified Neurosurgeon - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery