How Long Will It Take For a Full Laminectomy Recovery?
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 one of the most common back surgeries. During a laminectomy, our neurosurgeon will remove the rear portion of one or more vertebrae, known as the lamina. If there are ligaments or bone spurs pressing against the nerves, they may also be removed. This helps ease any pressure on the spine and spinal column, helping to relieve pain.
A laminectomy may be performed to treat a number of back issues, such as:
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Spinal injuries
- Bone spurs
However, it is important to note that a laminectomy is considered a major surgery. Less invasive forms of treatment for back pain should be exhausted before laminectomy is considered.
What to Expect During a Laminectomy
A laminectomy is performed under general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. After you have been given anesthesia, the surgeon will make an incision in the skin of your back (the affected area). The soft tissues and muscles will be moved to the side to expose the spine. The surgeon will then cut away anything that is compressing the nerves.
From here, your doctor may use their discretion to decide whether or not to remove a portion of your spinal bones. This will depend on the reason for your operation. Some people also undergo a spinal fusion which will help stabilize the spine. Towards the end of the surgery, the wound will be stitched up and you will be taken off of the anesthesia.
What Is The Recovery Time?
After your surgery, you will be moved to a recovery area until you are fully awake and alert. Our nurses will check your vitals to check your status. Depending on what the surgeon feels is best, you may be given pain medication orally or by IV injection. Although this will not make the pain go away completely, it will help subside it.
Within hours of the surgery, you may begin to walk (of course taking it easy). You may have difficulty sleeping and leaving bed the first few nights, especially if the recommended sleeping positions are out of the ordinary for you.
Your laminectomy recovery can include making sure everything at home is easily accessible and you rest up! You should be able to return to work two to six weeks after the surgery.
Desk work and light house work can be resumed after a few days. For patients with a spinal fusion and a laminectomy the recovery time may be longer – from two to four months. If you did not have a spinal fusion with your laminectomy expect to recover even faster.
Physical Therapy is recommended in order to help the recovery process. Working with a physical therapist can also lessen the recovery time. Ask one of our nurses to refer you to a physical therapy clinic that is near you.
At Home Care Tips
Making sure to take care of yourself at home is a very important part of your laminectomy recovery. Practicing good self-care at home can help improve your recovery time and prevent you from suffering any unwanted complications post surgery. Here are some tips for making the most of your laminectomy recovery at home.
Rest
Getting adequate amounts of rest is always crucial when recovering from any injury, especially surgery. Always listen to your body and take rests throughout the day as you need to. Do not try to rush back to work or do more during the day than you strictly need to. Sleep will help your body recover faster.
Stay Active
While rest is very important, you should also try and gradually begin being more active. Start by going for very light, short walks and slowly increasing the pace and distance of your walks over time. Walking can help get the blood flowing, relieving muscle aches and combatting pneumonia and constipation.
It is also important to avoid sitting or standing still for too long while you are recovering. Change your position up every 30 minutes to keep blood circulating and help decrease back pain.
You should also avoid driving or car rides longer than 30 minutes for the first 2 to 4 weeks of your laminectomy recovery. Your doctor will let you know when you are safe to drive or take long car rides. If you have to take a long car ride, remember to make frequent stops for getting out and stretching.
If you are sexually active, you can resume having sex once you feel physically able and your doctor has given the go ahead. However, try to avoid any positions that place excess stress on your back.
Try to Exercise
While in the outpatient center, your doctor or physical therapist should provide you with back exercises to help improve your laminectomy recovery. Make sure to practice these exercises at home as instructed by your doctor. This can help improve strength and flexibility in your back.
However, make sure you are only doing the exercises recommended by your doctor or physical therapist. You should not be lifting anything heavier than 5lbs or doing any strenuous exercise, such as biking, weight lifting, jogging, or aerobic exercise. Your doctor will let you know when you are fit for more vigorous exercise.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Diet can play an important role in your laminectomy recovery and your overall health. Getting the proper nutrients needed can help boost the body’s ability to heal. Make sure to discuss a nutrition guideline for recovery with your doctor.
Sometimes patients experience upset stomachs and difficulty eating after surgery. For this, try eating bland, low-fat foods including:
- Broiled chicken
- Toast
- Yogurt
- Plain rice
Constipation and irregular bowel movements are also common after a laminectomy. Be sure to avoid straining during bowel movements as this could lead to complications. It may be wise to take a fibre supplement daily to help with constipation. Speak with your doctor about a mild laxative if constipation has lasted for a couple of days.
Don’t Forget Your Medicine
If your doctor has prescribed you any medications, such as pain relievers, to help in your recovery, be sure to follow their directions for when and how much you should be taking. Speak with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications.
If you were taking medication before your surgery and were asked to stop, make sure to ask your doctor when it is safe to resume taking that medication. This includes aspirin or other blood thinners.
You may be prescribed antibiotics following surgery. Always take antibiotics as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking antibiotics until you have completed the full prescription, even if you are feeling better.
Take Care of Any Incisions
The procedure to perform a laminectomy involves making an incision (cut) in the back. This means you should make sure the area stays clean while you recover to avoid infection.
Your surgeon should give you some guidelines for caring for your incision at home, but here are some quick tips:
- If tape was left over the incision, leave the tape on for a week or so after surgery or until the tape falls off on its own.
- Make sure to clean the area daily using warm, soapy water and gently patting it down to dry.
- Keep the incision area clean and dry
- If the incision is weeping or rubbing up against clothing, use a clean gauze bandage to cover the incision. Don’t forget to change the bandage daily.
Follow-Up Care
When it comes to recovery from a laminectomy or any form of surgery, follow-up care is crucial. Always go to your follow-up appointments with your doctor. These follow-ups can help your doctor monitor the progress of your recovery and address any potential issues before they get worse.
You should also make sure to contact your surgeon or nurses immediately if you are experiencing any complications with your recovery, such as:
- New or worsening pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or buttocks
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Blood or fluid draining from incision
- Stitches have come undone
- Displaying signs of infection
- Pain, swelling, or redness
- Fever
- Pus draining from incision
- Red streaks coming from incision
If you feel you are in need of emergency assistance, do not hesitate to call 911.
Laminectomy Recovery Success Rates
Here’s an overview of the success and recovery rates after a laminectomy:
Success Rates:
- Laminectomy is generally considered a successful procedure. Between 70% to 90% of patients experience significant relief from the symptoms for which the surgery was performed.
- Success rates can vary depending on the specific indication for surgery. For instance, laminectomies for spinal stenosis often have high success rates in terms of pain relief and improved function.
Recovery Period:
- Initial Recovery: Most patients can walk and move around within a few hours after the surgery. Hospital stays usually last a few days, depending on the patient’s overall health and the specifics of the procedure.
- Full Recovery: Complete recovery and a return to all normal activities, including strenuous ones, can vary but typically ranges from a few weeks to a few months.
Factors Affecting Recovery:
- Age: Older patients might take longer to heal than younger ones.
- Overall Health: Those with other underlying health conditions may have a prolonged recovery.
- Extent of Surgery: If a laminectomy is combined with other procedures, such as spinal fusion, the recovery period might be extended.
- Postoperative Rehabilitation: Physical therapy and adherence to postoperative exercises can influence recovery rates and outcomes.
Potential Complications:
- While laminectomy is generally safe, as with any surgery, there are potential complications, including infection, bleeding, nerve injury, and cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Recognizing and addressing these complications early can influence the overall success of the procedure.
- There’s also the potential for spinal instability after the procedure, especially if a large amount of bone or multiple levels are involved. In such cases, spinal fusion might be recommended either initially or if instability becomes a problem later on.
Long-Term Outcomes:
- Most patients can return to their usual activities, though some might be advised to avoid particularly strenuous activities or heavy lifting.
- Recurrence of symptoms is possible, especially if the underlying cause of the compression (like degenerative changes) progresses over time.
Patient Satisfaction:
- Overall, most patients report a significant improvement in the quality of life after laminectomy. This includes reduced pain, increased mobility, and a return to daily activities.
In summary, laminectomy has a high success rate in terms of relieving symptoms and improving function. The key to a successful outcome often lies in accurate diagnosis, a well-performed surgical procedure, adherence to postoperative care guidelines, and appropriate rehabilitation. As always, patients should have a detailed discussion with their spinal surgeon about the potential risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of the procedure.
Schedule A Laminectomy Consultation
Remember that it is always better to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to signs of back problems. If you are concerned about back pain, you should visit a neurosurgeon as soon as possible. The issue could be serious, requiring surgery, and addressing the issue early improves your odds of a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
If you need a surgery, your laminectomy recovery will require a lot of rest and relaxation until you are fully healed and can resume daily activities. To find out more about undergoing a laminectomy procedure, call the Florida Surgery Consultants today at 1-888-411-6824 or fill out the form on the right to schedule a consultation.
After surgery it will take anywhere from three to six weeks for you to be able to return to work
A laminectomy is a surgery that removes the lamina (wall of the vertebrae) that is causing issues in your spine. The surgery can be performed of the cervical (neck), thoracic (middle back), and lumbar (lower back)
The success rate is about 70.8%
