How long does it take to heal from a laminectomy?

Complete recovery may take 4 to 6 weeks or a few months after a lumbar laminectomy depending on the age and general health of the patient and the number of segments treated.

How bad is the pain after a laminectomy?

It is very common to experience lower limb pain 2-‐4 days post surgery and again after 3 weeks. Usually this pain is less than the pain you had before surgery but in some cases it can be severe and quite stressful.

How long do you have pain after laminectomy?

After the surgery, your back pain may take six weeks or more to get better. Complete recovery after a laminectomy depends on the extent of your surgery, your general health, any underlying medical conditions, the number of segments treated and your condition after the surgery.

Can a laminectomy relieve back pain?

Research shows that patients who have lumbar (lower back) laminectomy experience significant improvement in back pain and mobility. It’s also effective in relieving pain that comes from compressed nerves radiating away from the spine, such as leg pain.

How soon can you go back to work after a laminectomy?

After a minor (decompressive) laminectomy, you are usually able to return to light activity (desk work and light housekeeping) within a few days to a few weeks. If you also had spinal fusion with your laminectomy, your recovery time will likely be longer — from two to four months.

Do you need physical therapy after a laminectomy?

In general, you should expect to start physical therapy 4 to 6 weeks after your lumbar laminectomy or discectomy. If there were any post-operative complications like infection or excessive bleeding, then you may need to wait a bit longer.

Can you still have nerve pain after a laminectomy?

Very often, following a laminectomy, patients recover without any complications. However in a small group of people, back pain and sometimes leg pain may persist following laminectomy. This persistent pain is called post laminectomy syndrome.

How much should you walk after a laminectomy?

Walking is the best activity you can do for the first 6 weeks after surgery. You should start out slowly and work up to walking 30 minutes at least twice a day. Do not be surprised if you require frequent naps during the day.

What are the side effects of laminectomy?

What are the potential risks or complications of laminectomy?

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Medical or anesthesia problems.
• Blood clots.
• Nerve damage.
• Spinal fluid leak.
• Bowel or bladder problems (incontinence).
• Worsening back pain.

Does the bone grow back after a laminectomy?

A laminectomy removes the entire lamina. The lamina does not grow back. Instead, scar tissue grows over the bone, replacing the lamina, and protects the spinal nerves.

Is sitting bad after back surgery?

Sitting places a lot of stress on your back and can be painful after surgery. It is important to maintain your normal spinal curves by sitting down to help minimize this stress, after surgery, avoid sitting on soft chairs and on couches where your hips fall under your knees.

Is post laminectomy syndrome the same as failed back surgery syndrome?

However in a small group of people, back pain and sometimes leg pain may persist following laminectomy. This persistent pain is called post laminectomy syndrome. Post-laminectomy syndrome is also called Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, or FBSS.

What is a laminectomy and when is it needed?

A doctor may suggest a laminectomy to relieve compression on the spinal cord. The lamina is a part of the vertebrae that covers and protects the spinal canal. Laminectomy is a type of back surgery in which a surgeon removes part or all of the lamina.

What are the risks of lumbar laminectomy surgery?

Some risk factors may increase the likelihood of complications during or after lumbar laminectomy surgery. A few examples of these risks include: Smoking. Smoking has been discouraged both before and after any spinal surgery, including lumbar laminectomy. Smoking may 11: Cause post-surgical infections.

Do I need a spinal fusion or laminectomy?

There are two basic ways to perform a laminectomy: If spinal stenosis, the most common reason for a laminectomy, originates from problems in the nerves, then there is usually no need for a fusion, decreasing risk factors and increasing the odds of long-term success.

Can laminectomy help low back or neck pain?

Low back or neck pain can range from mild, dull, and annoying to persistent, severe, and disabling. Pain in the spine can restrict your ability to move and function. Laminectomy may be done to ease pressure on the spinal nerves, treat a disk problem, or remove a tumor from the spine.