top of page

Post Op Lumbar Laminectomy

Post Op in the Hospital

Recovery Room (PACU) (first few hours after surgery)

  • Your exam and pain level are closely monitored

  • Supplemental oxygen is normal during this stage

  • Taking deep breaths will improve your lungs' recovery

  • Compression stockings are used to prevent blood clots 

  • Urine (Foley) catheter not required

  • The 16 mm incision in the lower back will have absorbable sutures under the skin, with surgical glue on the skin surface.  No skin bandage required.

  • Pain medicine and other Rx via I.V. (intravenous route)

  • Throat soreness is expected

  • Mobilize out of bed to a chair as soon as feasible

  • Gradually start meals as tolerated

  • Back soreness and stiffness is expected

  • Your pre-op leg pain should be much improved when you wake up from surgery, but you may have some numbness and any weakness that you had pre-op

  • Visitation in the Recovery Room is very limited

  • You will have to be able to safely walk and also be able to urinate before being allowed to go home.

 

Surgery Floor bed (usually 23 hrs, if needed)

  • Continue compression stockings while in bed

  • Subcutaneous Heparin is started to prevent blood clots

  • Advance to regular diet as swallowing improves

  • Ambulate in the hallways as much as tolerated

  • May shower 24 hrs after surgery

  • Antibiotics are taken for 24 hours after surgery or until the drain is removed

  • Transition pain medicine and other Rx to oral route when pain improves over the first few days

  • Pain medications cause constipation, which may require laxatives.  

  • Mild back pain and muscle tightness is common

  • Pre-op leg pain should be much improved

Recovery at Home

First 14 days after surgery:

  • Back soreness and stiffness are common

  • Gentle back stretches and warm pads may help

  • Shower every day once you are home

  • You do not have to cover the incision site

  • No bath/pools/soaking back for 1 month

  • Swelling peaks around 3-4 days after surgery and then slowly gets better in 1-2 weeks, so your discomfort may worsen after surgery before slowly improving

  • Limit exertion to less than 10 pounds of lifting

  • Start walking at least 30 minutes every day

  • Numbness and Weakness may persist

  • Neurosurgery visit 10-14 days after surgery for a quick (5 minute) incision site check.  No suture/staple removal required.

  • Safe to drive when off of prescription pain meds for 24 hours

 

1 to 2 Months post op:

  • Increase activities, bending (lifting limit is 20 lbs)

  • Post op pain/stiffness is still expected, but it should slowly decrease by the end of this time

  • Numbness and weakness are likely to persist

 

3 Months post op:

  • Neurosurgery visit 3 months after surgery 

  • No X-rays required

  • Any weakness should be improving

  • Numbness may take 3-6 months to recover

  • May increase lifting and activities gradually back to baseline activities prior to surgery

bottom of page