Laminectomy is a decompression procedure that removes the back portion of a vertebra (the lamina) to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots caused by spinal stenosis. It is the most commonly performed surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and offers excellent results in restoring the ability to walk and stand without leg pain.
What Is Laminectomy?
Spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the nerves — most commonly develops as a result of arthritis, bone spur formation, and thickening of the spinal ligaments (ligamentum flavum) that naturally occur with aging. Patients typically experience leg pain, heaviness, and cramping with walking or standing (neurogenic claudication) that is relieved by sitting or bending forward.
During a laminectomy, Dr. Chavarria removes the lamina (the bony arch of the vertebra) and any thickened ligament, enlarged joints, or bone spurs that are compressing the neural elements. This creates more room for the nerves and relieves the pressure causing symptoms. When stenosis is present at multiple levels, a decompression can be performed at each affected level through the same incision.
Modern minimally invasive decompression techniques allow Dr. Chavarria to achieve the same decompression through a smaller incision with less muscle disruption than traditional open laminectomy — shortening the recovery and reducing post-operative pain while preserving spinal stability when possible.
Are You a Candidate?
- Patients with lumbar or cervical spinal stenosis causing leg pain, cramping, or weakness with walking (neurogenic claudication)
- Patients who have failed conservative treatment including physical therapy and epidural steroid injections
- Patients whose symptoms significantly limit walking distance, daily activities, or quality of life
- Patients with progressive neurological deficits (weakness, balance problems) related to stenosis
- Patients without significant spinal instability that would require fusion in addition to decompression
What to Expect
Pre-operative: MRI and CT imaging confirm the levels and severity of stenosis. Dr. Chavarria will discuss whether decompression alone is appropriate or whether fusion should be added to treat concurrent instability or spondylolisthesis.
Day of surgery: Single-level laminectomy takes approximately 1–1.5 hours; multilevel procedures take longer. Most single-level decompressions are outpatient; two or more levels or added fusion may require an overnight stay.
First 2 weeks: Patients are walking immediately after surgery. Activity restrictions focus on avoiding heavy lifting and prolonged bending. A 7–10 day follow-up checks wound healing and neurological recovery.
4–12 weeks: The improvement in walking capacity and leg symptoms is typically dramatic and noticed within days to weeks. Physical therapy begins at 4–6 weeks to strengthen core and back muscles. Most patients return to normal activities within 4–8 weeks.
Why Choose Dr. Chavarria for Your Laminectomy in Reno?
- Highly effective for neurogenic claudication — most patients can walk significantly farther within weeks
- Minimally invasive approach available — smaller incision, less blood loss
- Can be performed at multiple levels in one surgery
- Low recurrence rate when the procedure addresses all compressive sources
- Outpatient or short-stay procedure for most patients
- Dramatically improves quality of life and independence