Overview
A laminectomy, sometimes called lumbar laminectomy, is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It is most often recommended for patients with conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, bone spurs, or other degenerative changes that narrow the spinal canal. This narrowing can compress nerves, causing pain, numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking.
Laminectomy surgery is available at our spine surgery locations across Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and Virginia, making expert care accessible close to home.
Benefits and risks
The main benefit of a laminectomy is improved mobility and reduced pain by creating more space for the nerves inside the spine. For many patients, this means relief from leg pain (sciatica), less numbness or weakness, and the ability to return to daily activities with greater comfort.
As with any surgery, a laminectomy also carries potential risks, including infection, bleeding, blood clots, spinal fluid leak, nerve injury, persistent or recurrent symptoms, and, in some cases, the need for additional surgery.
Your surgeon will review the potential benefits and risks with you, taking into account your specific diagnosis and overall health.
What to exect during surgery
To perform this procedure, an incision is made down the center of the lower back, and the muscles are moved to the side. Then an X-ray is taken to make sure the correct vertebrae have been selected. Once this is determined, the lamina, the back side of the spinal canal, is removed.
The procedure typically takes anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours, depending on the extent of the spinal compression being treated. More complex cases, such as severe spinal stenosis or large disc herniations, generally require more time. Before surgery, your surgeon will discuss what you can expect based on your individual condition.
Expertise at MedStar Health
At MedStar Health, our fellowship-trained spine surgeons have advanced expertise in treating a wide range of spinal conditions. They use the latest evidence-based surgical techniques, including minimally invasive approaches when appropriate, to help reduce tissue disruption, support recovery, and achieve the best possible outcomes for each patient.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
Spine Surgery
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Evelyne S Akoth, MD PA
Spine Surgery & Neurosurgery
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Amjad Nasr Anaizi, MD
Skull Base Surgery, Vascular Neurosurgery, Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery & Neurosurgical Oncology
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Rocco Anthony Armonda, MD
Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery & Neurological Surgery
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Paul L. Asdourian, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
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Joseph Leigh Ferguson, MD
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Spine Surgery
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Seyed Babak Kalantar, MD
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Spine Surgery
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Akhil Jay Khanna, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
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Mesfin A. Lemma, MD
Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Spine Surgery
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Addisu Mesfin, MD
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Spine Surgery & Spine Surgery
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Fred Mo, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
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Bradley William Moatz, AGRC MD
Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Spine Surgery
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Matthew Thomas Morris, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgery, Spine Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
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Zan A Naseer, MD
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Spine Surgery
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Oliver O. Tannous, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
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David A Weiner, MD MS
Orthopedic Surgery & Orthopedic Spine Surgery
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Sam W. Wiesel, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery
Show All Spine Surgery
Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Lafayette Centre
1120 20th St NW Building 1 South Washington, D.C., 20036
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Annapolis Generals Highway
2114 Generals Highway Suite 101-B Annapolis, MD 21401
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Ellicott City
9501 Old Annapolis Road Dorsey Hall Medical Center Suite 220 Ellicott City, MD 21042
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Hunt Valley
2 Loveton Circle Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Timonium
2118 Greenspring Dr. Timonium, MD 21093
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Annapolis Bestgate Road
810 Bestgate Rd. Suite 310 Annapolis, MD 21401
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Perry Hall
5009 Honeygo Center Dr. Ste. 210 Perry Hall, MD 21128
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735
MedStar Health: Spine Center at McLean
1420 Beverly Road Ste. 210 McLean, VA 22101
MedStar Health: Neuroscience at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road, NW Pasquerilla Healthcare Center 7th Floor Washington, D.C., 20007
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Bel Air
12 MedStar Blvd. Ste. 300 Bel Air, MD 21015
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Chevy Chase
5454 Wisconsin Ave. Ste. 1225 Chevy Chase, MD 20815
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Ellicott City
9501 Old Annapolis Road Ste. 220 Ellicott City, MD 21042
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Frederick
163 Thomas Johnson Drive Unit E Frederick, MD 21702
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Kent Island
1630 Main St. Ste. 208 Chester , MD 21619
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at McLean Beverly Road
1420 Beverly Road Ste. 200 McLean, VA 22101
703-752-8069
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9103 Franklin Square Dr. Suite 301 Rosedale, MD 21237
443-777-6867
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at MedStar Harbor Hospital
2900 S. Hanover St. 1st Floor Baltimore, MD 21225
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18109 Prince Philip Dr. Ste. 300 Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Pikesville
1838 Greene Tree Rd Ste.245 Pikesville, MD 21208
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Timonium
2118 Greenspring Drive 2nd Fl. Timonium, MD 21093
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Vienna
8230 Boone Boulevard Ste. 360 Vienna, VA 22182
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Westminster
412 Malcolm Drive Ste. 200 Westminster, MD 21157
MedStar Health Neurosurgery at Catonsville
4660 Wilkens Avenue Ste. 100 Baltimore, MD 21229
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Brandywine
13950 Brandywine Road 2nd Floor Brandywine, MD 20613
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Leonardtown
23503 Hollywood Road Suite 101 Leonardtown, MD 20650
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Lorton
9455 Lorton Market Street Suite 200 Lorton, VA 22079
MedStar Health Orthopedics at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center Surgery Center
9101 Franklin Square Dr. Medical Arts Bldg. Ste. 200 Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Health Orthopedics at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road NW Washington, D.C., 20007
MedStar Health Orthopedics at MedStar Harbor Hospital
2900 South Hanover St. Baltimore, MD 21225
MedStar Health Orthopedics at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18109 Prince Philip Drive Suite 325 Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Health Orthopedics at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
106 Irving Street NW Physician's Office Building, North Ste. 5000 Washington, DC 20010
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Mitchellville
12158 Central Avenue Mitchellville, MD 20721
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Westminster
412 Malcolm Dr. Ste. 200 Westminster, MD 21157
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Wheaton
11915 Georgia Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902
MedStar Health: Spine Center at Chevy Chase
5454 Wisconsin Ave. Barlow Bldg. 11th Floor Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301-215-4470
MedStar Health Spine Center at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
3333 North Calvert St. Johnston Professional Building Ste. 655 Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Bel Air
12 MedStar Blvd. 3rd Floor Bel Air, MD 21015
MedStar Health: Orthopedics at Reisterstown
116 Westminster Pike Ste 102 Reisterstown, MD 21136
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Chevy Chase
5454 Wisconsin Ave. 11th Floor Chevy Chase, MD 20815
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Frederick
163 Thomas Johnson Drive 1st floor Ste E Frederick, MD 21702
MedStar Health Orthopedics at Leisure World
3305 North Leisure World Blvd. Silver Spring, MD 20903