A laminectomy removes the bone and thickened ligament that are crowding the nerves in the low back. It is the standard operation for lumbar spinal stenosis, and it reliably improves leg pain and walking.
Medically reviewed by Adrian P. Jackson, MD, board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon · Updated November 2026
Appointments are scheduled through workers’ compensation referrals in Kansas and Missouri.
A lumbar laminectomy is surgery to decompress the nerves in the low back. The surgeon removes part of the lamina, the bony roof of the spinal canal, along with thickened ligament and bone spurs, so the nerves have room again.
It is most often done for spinal stenosis that limits walking despite therapy and injections. It is a different thing from non-surgical spinal decompression therapy, which is a form of traction.
Pain, heaviness or numbness in the legs from spinal stenosis that limits how far you can walk or stand.
Physical therapy, medication and epidural steroid injections have been tried.
An MRI shows narrowing at the level that fits your symptoms and examination.
When a vertebra has slipped and is unstable, a fusion may be added. See spondylolisthesis.
You are asleep under general anesthesia and positioned face down. Through an incision in the low back, the surgeon reaches the lamina at the narrowed level.
Part of the lamina is removed, sometimes only a small window (a laminotomy), together with the thickened ligament and any bone spurs pressing on the nerves. If a disc herniation is contributing, that fragment is removed too.
The joints that keep the spine stable are preserved. In most patients no hardware is needed.
The two share a name and little else.
| Decompression surgery (laminectomy) | Decompression therapy (traction table) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An operation performed by a spine surgeon | A motorized traction treatment, usually offered in chiropractic or therapy clinics |
| How it works | Permanently removes the bone and ligament narrowing the canal | Gently stretches the spine for a series of sessions |
| Used for | Stenosis or a herniated disc with nerve compression that has not responded to conservative care | Back or leg pain, as one of several conservative options |
| Where it fits | After conservative care has been tried | Before surgery is considered |
This animation shows where the nerves are crowded and how a laminectomy gives them room.
The lumbar decompression recovery guide covers preparation, surgery day and each stage of recovery.
Our routine protocol after a lumbar decompression. Restrictions are documented at each visit.
| When | Work status |
|---|---|
| Surgery to 6 weeks | Off work for up to 6 weeks. A restricted return is possible between 3 and 6 weeks for sedentary work or when the employer can accommodate part-time hours. |
| 6 to 12 weeks | Full-time work with restrictions: no lifting over 15 pounds, no repetitive bending or lifting, no overhead work, and alternate sitting and standing as needed. |
| About 12 weeks | Typically released to ordinary duties without restrictions. |
Individual recovery varies, and your surgeon will personalize the plan.
Your surgeons
Board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon
Dr. Jackson has practiced spine surgery in the Kansas City area for more than 20 years. He treats both the neck and the low back, and he operates exclusively on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive techniques.
Board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon
Dr. Ciccarelli specializes in the lumbar spine, including fusion for spondylolisthesis and other conditions where the spine needs to be stabilized.
It is a real operation under general anesthesia, but for one or two levels it is usually done on an outpatient basis. Most of our patients walk within hours and go home the same day.
Most patients with stenosis alone do not. A fusion is added when a vertebra has slipped and is unstable, or when enough bone must be removed that the spine would become unstable.
Leg pain and walking distance improve in most patients. Back pain may improve but is less predictable. Numbness that has been present for a long time can be slow to recover and may not resolve fully.
The treated level usually stays open. Because arthritis continues with age, stenosis can develop at other levels years later.
As with any operation, there are risks. They include, but are not limited to, infection, bleeding, a spinal fluid leak, nerve injury, blood clots, incomplete relief or return of symptoms, the need for further surgery, and the risks of anesthesia. Your surgeon reviews the risks that apply to you before you decide.
This page is general education. It does not replace an examination, and it is not medical advice for your situation. If you have severe or sudden symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Premier Spine Care schedules appointments through workers’ compensation referrals in Kansas and Missouri. Case managers, adjusters and law offices can send a referral online, and the appointment is scheduled within 24 hours. If you were hurt at work, ask your adjuster or case manager about a referral.
Premier Spine Care · Overland Park and Lenexa, Kansas · Serving the Kansas City metro in Kansas and Missouri
