Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Spinal stenosis is the most common degenerative spine problem. The spinal column gradually narrows, eventually pinching the nerves and causing pain and numbness.

If nonsurgical methods are not providing sufficient pain relief, surgery may be an option for you. If the stenosis is causing severe weakness or bowel or bladder problems, surgery is urgent. Learn more about spinal stenosis.

We will discuss your surgical options with you and determine which procedure will offer you the best results:

Anterior lumbar fusion

We fuse (join) vertebrae, the bony sections of your spinal cord, to ease pain in the lower back and leg. We typically access the lower back through an abdominal incision. 

Cervical fusion

This procedure fuses vertebrae to help reduce neck and arm pain. We typically access the vertebrae through an incision in the neck. 

Cervical laminoplasty

We expand your spinal canal by opening the lamina, part of your vertebra, to decompress the nerves and spinal cord and alleviate pain. You are typically out of bed and walking the next day. 

Cervical laminotomy

A cervical laminotomy relieves pressure on your nerves, which alleviates neck pain. Your surgeon removes only a small part of the lamina. 

Laminectomy

We remove the entire lamina to relieve pain. We can perform this as an open procedure (traditional laminectomy) using a large incision or a microlaminectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny incisions. We will discuss which surgical approach will offer you the best results. 

Lumbar microlaminotomy

We remove only a small portion of the lamina using minimally invasive techniques. This surgery relieves pressure on your nerves, alleviating back pain. 

Posterior lumbar fusion

This fusion procedure helps ease pain in the lower back and neck. We access the spine through an incision in your back.