Lumbar Laminectomy


Back pain is different from one person to the next. The pain can have a slow onset or come on suddenly. The pain may be intermittent or constant. In most cases, back pain resolves on its own within a few weeks.





Over Activity



Disc Injury


Disc Tear

Small tears to the outer part of the disc (annulus) sometimes occur with aging. Some people with disc tears have no pain at all. Others can have pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer. A small number of people may develop constant pain that lasts for years and is quite disabling. Why some people have pain and others do not is not well understood.

Disc Degeneration



Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

(Spon-dee-low-lis-THEE-sis). Changes from aging and general wear and tear make it hard for your joints and ligaments to keep your spine in the proper position. The vertebrae move more than they should, and one vertebra can slide forward on top of another. If too much slippage occurs, the bones may begin to press on the spinal nerves.


Lumbar Laminectomy

Lumbar laminectomy 

Stenosis occurs as people age and the ligaments of the spine thicken and harden, discs bulge, bones and joints enlarge, and bone spurs (called osteophytes) form.

Spondylolisthesis (the slipping of one vertebra onto another) can also lead to compression.

The goal of a laminectomy is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve by widening the spinal canal.

This is done by removing or trimming the lamina (roof) of the vertebrae to create more space for the nerves. A surgeon may perform a laminectomy with or without fusing vertebrae or removing part of a disc.

Various devices (like screws or rods) may be used to enhance the ability to obtain a solid fusion and support unstable areas of the spine.

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