Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression relieves back pain by taking pressure off the spinal cord and nerves .

Decompression surgery is used to treat

Back or neck pain

Bulging or herniated discs

Degenerative disc disease

Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots (radiculopathy)

Sciatica

Spinal stenosis

Spine injuries and aging can compress the spine, causing pain and stiffness. Spinal decompression can relieve that pain.

There are two types of spinal decompression surgery:

During laminectomy, your surgeon removes a part of or your entire vertebral bone (the lamina). This removal can help to take pressure off of your spinal cord or nerves.

A microdiscectomy is performed when a herniated disc is pressing on your spinal cord or nerves. Your surgeon removes all or part of the disc to relieve your pain. A microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure using a high-powered microscope and a small cut on your back. Minimally invasive procedures protect the delicate tissues around your spine, causing less damage.

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Best candidates for spinal decompression surgery

All patients are recommended treatment on a case-by-case basis. You may be recommended for spinal decompression if your pain stems from one of the following conditions:

Bulging or protruding disc
Facet joint syndrome
Herniated disc
Sciatica
Spinal disc degeneration
Spinal stenosis

You may also need to undergo physical therapy and spinal injections before surgery to comply with your health insurance requirements and to reduce risks of unnecessary surgery.

Benefits of spinal decompression surgery:

Long-lasting pain relief
Preservation of movement

Risks of spinal decompression surgery:

Surgery always comes with some risks, including the following

Injury to the nerve root
Leaking of spinal fluid (may cause headaches)
Blood clots
Allergic reactions or complications from anesthesia
Infection

What to expect

Your experience may vary depending on whether you undergo laminectomy or microdiscectomy. Your surgeon will make an incision in your skin over the affected vertebrae. They will then use instruments to remove the smallest possible portion of bone or disc. If necessary, your surgeon may use bone grafts, metal rods, or screws.

How to prepare for surgery

If you are scheduled for spinal decompression surgery, our care team will guide you in preparing for the procedure. An anesthesiologist will ask you questions to evaluate the right amount of anesthesia you'll need during surgery. Your care team may also order blood work or other preoperative tests depending on any underlying health conditions you may have. You may also need approval from your other providers before moving forward with spinal decompression surgery.

To prepare for surgery you must:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet
Minimize the use of narcotics (painkillers)
Work with your provider on changes to blood thinners or blood pressure medication
Avoid eating after midnight the day before surgery

Recovery

After surgery, you must:

Avoid showering until the next day
Avoid baths for a month (soaking your incision in water may increase your risk of infection)
Avoid lifting heavy objects for a month
Use ice, heat, or anti-inflammatory medicine for mild pain relief

In rare cases, your surgeon may temporarily prescribe narcotic pain medication.

Signs of healing

During your recovery, you may experience the return of sensation as previously numb areas begin to normalize, muscle twitching, restless legs. These symptoms are a normal part of your recovery and not a cause for concern. If you experience intense pain at the incision site or develop fever and chills, contact our team immediately.

Follow-up care

You will have a follow-up appointment with your spine provider six weeks after surgery. We may schedule you for another follow-up up to six months after your surgery, depending on where you are in your recovery progress. Physical therapy can improve the results of your surgery.

Success Rate

Spinal decompression surgery has a high success rate. Many of our patients report less pain and better mobility after surgery. Over time, you will be able to resume some activities you once had to avoid because of your spinal condition.

Why choose University of Utah Neurosurgery Spine Group?

We are the destination for complex spine patients in the Mountain West. Our spine surgeons perform a high volume of procedures each year, and are both experienced and successful. We also publish our research findings for other physicians and surgeons to learn.

With the University of Utah Health Neurosurgery Spine Group, you will receive care from an experienced team of experts who are national leaders in spine surgery and train residents, fellows, and other physicians.