Spinal stenosis is a condition in which constrictions are experienced in the spinal chord and nerve roots. As a result, this can cause considerable pain and discomfort to the sufferer.

Orthopedic specialists will normally recommend drugs, physiotherapy, exercise and lifestyle changes before considering the possibility of surgery as a means of treating the condition. In fact, less than 5 percent of spinal stenosis sufferers are recommended for surgery, indicating that other treatments can be effective.

Procedure information
A laminectomy is a procedure recommended for the treatment of spinal stenosis, aiming to alleviate the sufferer’s discomfort by reducing or eliminating the pressure on the spinal chord.

The procedure involves the opening up of the back and the subsequent trimming or removal of the vertebral lamina in order to widen the spinal canal and hence eliminate constriction by making extra space for the spinal nerves. The procedure is performed under a general anesthetic and generally takes no more than a couple of hours.

Recovery time
A day after the surgery, therapists will try to get the patient up out of bed and walking, encouraging them to assist their own recovery. Discharge from hospital is normally within a week of the surgery, after which the patient will be expected to return weekly for physiotherapy to help improve lumbar strength and range of movement.

Patients can expect it to take anything up to 3 months to make a full recovery, during which time they will need to avoid spine-straining activities, rest regularly and take pain-killing medication when necessary.