The document provides information about lumbar laminectomy surgery, which involves removing part of the lamina bone in the lower back to widen the spinal canal and relieve pressure on nerve roots, and details what patients can expect after the outpatient procedure including short-term pain and a recovery period over several weeks with physical therapy. It also lists medications that should be avoided before surgery due to increased bleeding risk and provides post-operative guidelines about incision care, activity levels, and follow-up appointments.

1. A Patient’s Guide to
Lumbar Laminectomy: Lumbar Stenosis
25 Thurber Boulevard, Unit 6
Smithfield, RI 02917
Tel: (401) 404-2975
Fax: (401) 404-2976
www.bsnidoctors.com

2. Introduction Frequently Asked Questions
What is lumbar stenosis? How long will my surgery last? 1 to 2 hours,
Lumbar stenosis occurs when depending on the number of levels.
the spinal canal in the lower
How long will I be in the hospital? This is
back narrows, thereby squeezing
typically a same-day surgery; no overnight
and irritating the nerve roots
stay will be needed for most patients.
along this area. This condition
most often arises through the When can I drive?* Short drives are fine after
change in size and shape of the 24 hours; longer drives are acceptable after 7
spinal canal as people age. days, provided you feel comfortable while
sitting.
Why might I have trouble
walking? When can I go back to work? This will depend on the individual and the
As you walk, the spinal cord naturally expands. If the spinal cord is type of work being performed.
unable to expand due to a narrow spinal canal (stenosis), your legs will Light/sedentary work (lifting <25 lbs.) 2-3 weeks
feel fatigued sooner. With frequent resting while walking, you will be Medium work (lifting up to 50 lbs.) 4-6 weeks
able to lessen the pressure on the spinal cord. This condition is known as Strenuous work (lifting >50 lbs.) 2-3 months maximum
neurogenic claudication.
How active can I be? Activity is encouraged, especially walking. You
You may find that leaning over an object such as a shopping cart or may begin to exercise as early as one to two weeks in the post-operative
walker helps to alleviate these symptoms. This is because the spinal canal period. Avoid activities with twisting and/or bending.
expands when you lean over. This may make it easier to walk further
If the lamina is removed, how does my back support itself? Your back
distances since the spinal cord is not being compressed by a narrow spinal
will still be able to support itself on the vertebrae, the anterior (front)
canal.
bones of the spine after a lumbar laminectomy.
What are my options?
The four standard options to consider include medication, physical *Narcotic usage while driving is not recommended.
therapy, epidural steroid injections, and surgery.
How do I choose?
Surgery is often advised
for those patients who
present with progressive
difficulty walking or
other neurological
symptoms, or have
exhausted all other
options.

3. The Procedure
A lumbar laminectomy is performed to widen the spinal canal by
trimming the lamina (roof) of the vertebrae to create more space for the
nerve roots.
Once the ligament is cut or moved to the side, the surgeon has access to
the spinal canal and the compressed/irritated nerve roots are visualized.
The incision is then closed using dissolvable suture material.
Surgery for lumbar laminectomy is performed with the patient lying face
down. A small incision is made in the lower back.
A retractor is used to spread apart the muscles and fatty tissue of the
spine to expose the lamina (roof) of the vertebrae. A portion of the
lamina is removed to gain access to the ligamentum flavum, the ligament
that supports the spinal canal.

4. What to Expect After Surgery MEDICATIONS LIST
The following medications contain aspirin or anti-inflammatory agents,
Pain at incision site: You may experience incisional pain for
which increase the risk of bleeding during surgery or injections.
approximately 5-7 days. Icing the incision along with anti-inflammatory
and narcotic medications can be helpful.
These medications and supplements should NOT be taken up to 14 days
Increased leg pain: This is due to inflammation/swelling of the nerve prior to an injection or to surgery.
roots 2-3 days following surgery. It will gradually improve and slowly
subside over the following week. In severe cases, oral steroids are used. Should you need pain relief medication, Tylenol is acceptable. You may
discuss other medication options with your physician or nurse if necessary.
Hoarse throat/throat discomfort: This is due to the breathing tube
placement during the surgery. This will gradually improve with time.
Please note that this is not an inclusive list. If you have any concerns about
your current medications, please consult your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
You should call the office if you develop any neurologic
findings that were not present at the time of your hospital Advil Duradyne Nabumeton
discharge. Examples include: AGGRASTAT Ecotrin Naprosyn
AGGRENOX EFFIENT Naproxen
 Sudden or slow onset of weakness in the lower extremities
Aleve Enbrel NSAIDS
 Loss of control over your bowel/bladder Alka-seltzer Equagesic Norgesic
 Elevated temperature (greater than 101 degrees) Anacin Etodolac Oxaprozin
 Excessive redness/swelling of the incision Anaprox Excedrin Piroxicam
 Drainage/oozing from the incision site Ansaid Feldene PLAVIX
ASPIRIN Fiorinal PLETAL
Bufferin 4 Way Cold Tabs PRADAXA
How do I get refills of my prescription? Call our prescription hotline
Cataflex Garlic Tablets Relafen
during business hours (9am – 4pm) at (401) 404-2975 x152.
Celebrex Ginko Bilboa Reopro
When will my sutures be removed? Sutures are not commonly used for Cephalgesics Ginseng Robaxisal
this procedure, but if so, they will be removed at 2-3 weeks. Clinoril Ibuprofen Ticlid
CLOPIDOGREL- Indomethacin Trental
When will I start physical therapy? This will be discussed at your first BISULFATE Indocin Vanquish
post-operative appointment. Coricidin Integrilin Vitamin E
COUMADIN Ketoprofen Voltaren
When can I shower? Two days after surgery with the original waterproof
Daypro Lodine WARFARIN
dressing. You must replace the dressing after every shower with a clean,
Diclofenac Meloxicam
dry dressing. Midol Any herbal supplements or
Diflunisal
What about taking anti-inflammatory medications after surgery? Anti- Doan’s Mobic non-FDA approved drugs
inflammatory medications may be taken (if needed) AFTER your Dristan Motrin
surgical procedure.
*If you are taking any of the medication HIGHLIGHTED, you MUST
consult your physician prior to discontinuing your prescription*