Spinal stenosis is caused when the space inside the spine shrinks and puts pressure on the spinal cord. This can cause many uncomfortable symptoms, such as back and leg pain, muscle weakness, tingling and numbness. If you’ve tried other treatments to ease these symptoms but are still struggling to get through the day, you might need spinal stenosis surgery. Our spine surgery experts have helped thousands of people recover from spinal stenosis. We’re here to help you, too.

The decision to have surgery for spinal stenosis begins with a consultation. Our surgeons will examine you and guide you to the best treatment option, whether that’s spinal stenosis surgery or a nonsurgical alternative. We’ll make sure you get the care you need to move comfortably and confidently again.

In many cases, spinal stenosis can be managed with nonsurgical spine treatments, including physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments. However, surgery is sometimes needed to stabilize the spine and relieve uncomfortable symptoms.

The only way to know if you need surgery to treat spinal stenosis is by talking with a doctor. However, there are some signs to watch for that might mean you’ll need surgery.

• Your symptoms haven’t improved with nonsurgical treatments
• You’ve noticed muscle weakness or numbness in your back or legs
• You’ve experienced loss of bladder or bowel control
• Spinal stenosis symptoms are making it difficult for you to move throughout the day

If you experience any of these issues, talk with a doctor as soon as possible. We’ll guide you to the best treatment option for your needs, whether that’s spinal stenosis surgery or a nonsurgical spine treatment.

Surgery can be used to decompress the nerves in the spine, relieving pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. The type of surgery needed to treat spinal stenosis depends on the cause of the pressure and the location of the narrowed spine.

Most of the time, we can treat spinal stenosis with minimally invasive spine surgery. This means that your surgeon will use the smallest incisions possible during your procedure, reducing your risk of complications and speeding up your recovery time. Common surgeries used to treat spinal stenosis include laminotomy, laminectomy, laminoplasty, foraminotomy and discectomy.

The laminae are bony plates in the spine that protect the nerves and spinal cord. A spine injury, certain illnesses and changes to the spine with age can cause the spinal canal to narrow. When this happens, the nerves can press uncomfortably against the laminae.

A laminotomy is a minimally invasive surgery where part of one or more laminae are removed to widen the spinal canal and reduce pressure on the nerves. This can relieve discomfort caused by spinal stenosis.

The amount of time it takes to recover after a laminotomy varies. In most cases, it takes 4-8 weeks to return to desk work and light activity, and it can take 3-6 months to fully recover.

A laminectomy is a decompression surgery commonly used to treat spinal stenosis. It differs from a laminotomy because during a laminectomy, all of one or more laminae are removed. A laminectomy is recommended when at least one lamina needs to be removed in order to widen the spinal canal enough to reduce pressure on the spinal cord.

In most cases, laminectomy is a minimally invasive procedure. Recovery time varies, but it typically takes 4-8 weeks to return to light activity following surgery and 3-6 months to fully recover.

A laminoplasty might be used to treat spinal stenosis in the cervical spine (neck). During a laminoplasty, a spine surgeon will make space in the spinal canal by creating a gap or adding a hinge to a lamina bone. By creating a gap or adding a hinge, spine surgeons preserve the flexibility of the spine while decompressing the nerves and adding stability.

Laminoplasty recovery time varies. In general, it can take up to six weeks to return to regular activity after surgery.

The foramen is the opening where nerves exit the spinal canal. If the foramen compresses, it can put painful pressure on the nerves in the spinal cord. A foraminotomy is a spine surgery where bone and other tissue are removed to expand the foramen, relieving compression on the nerves.

Foraminotomy is typically a minimally invasive spine surgery. It may be recommended if spinal stenosis has caused the foramen to narrow. Most people return to light activity 6-8 weeks after a foraminotomy for spinal stenosis, but complete recovery can take a few months.

When spinal stenosis is caused by a herniated disc, a discectomy might be the best course of treatment. During a discectomy, part or all of the damaged disc is removed from the spine to ease pressure on the nerves and widen the spinal canal. It’s often combined with a laminectomy or other spine surgery when used to treat spinal stenosis.

Most of the time, our spine surgeons are able to perform a microdiscectomy. This is a minimally invasive procedure, reducing the risk of complications and speeding up the recovery time. People typically return to light activity 2-4 weeks following surgery, but it can take 3-6 months to fully recover.