Spinal decompression is a type of surgery used to give your spine nerves more space and relieve their compression. “Decompression” usually means removing tissue that is compressing a spinal nerve.

It can be performed anywhere along your spine from your neck (cervical) to your lower back. Lumbar decompression surgery relieves lower back neural impingement.

By reducing pressure on the nerves in your spine, spinal decompression surgery aims to improve symptoms such as persistent pain and numbness in the legs.

More space can be created in your spine by a number of different types of spinal decompression surgery. Often, these procedures are performed together. They include:

• Laminectomy – the complete removal of one of your vertebral bones, called the lamina, that is pressing on the affected nerve.
• Laminotomy - the removal of part of your lamina.
• Foraminotomy – the removal of bone spurs or tissue from your spine’s foramen, the nerve passageways, or space between your vertebrae through which your nerve roots exit the spinal column.
• Laminaplasty – the cutting of your laminae on one side and then “swinging” the freed bone open to expand your spinal canal in the cervical area.
• Discectomy/microdiscectomy – part of your damaged intervertebral disc is removed to relieve nerve pressure. Microdiscectomy uses minimally invasive surgery to remove the herniated disc.
• Disc replacement – replacement of a prolapsed disc with an artificial one.
• Spinal fusion - joining of two or more vertebrae together using a section of bone and sometimes instruments such as rods to stabilise and strengthen your spine.

More space can be created in your spine by a number of different types of spinal decompression surgery. Often, these procedures are performed together.

They include:

• Laminectomy – the complete removal of one of your vertebral bones, called the lamina, that is pressing on the affected nerve.
• Laminotomy - the removal of part of your lamina.
• Foraminotomy – the removal of bone spurs or tissue from your spine’s foramen, the nerve passageways, or space between your vertebrae through which your nerve roots exit the spinal column
• Discectomy/microdiscectomy – part of your damaged intervertebral disc is removed / ‘shaved’to relieve nerve pressure. Microdiscectomy uses minimally invasive surgery to remove the herniated disc.
• Disc replacement – replacement of a prolapsed disc with an artificial one.
• Spinal fusion - joining of two or more vertebrae together using a section of bone and sometimes instruments such as rods and cages to stabilise and strengthen your spine.

Many of our Ramsay hospitals offer lumbar spinal decompression surgery.

We understand the excruciating nature of back with associated leg pain and we endeavour to arrange rapid appointments with our highly experienced spinal surgeons. They will investigate, diagnose and perform any recommended back surgery in our modern, clean and, well-equipped hospitals, with the support of qualified and caring nursing, imaging and physiotherapy staff.

At Ramsay Health Care, we have over 40 hospitals across the UK. Get in touch with us today to discuss your health needs and spinal decompression surgery.

Lumbar spine decompression surgery is often used to treat:

• Spinal stenosis – the narrowing of part of your lumbar spine column that causes compression of the nerves inside or exiting the spine.
• Slipped or prolapsed disc and sciatica –a damaged or degenerate spinal disc can protrude / herniate / slip and and put pressure on an underlying nerve. Sciatica can be severe and debilitating and, radiates down your leg from your lower back or buttock.
• Spinal injuries – such as fractures or tissue swelling.
• Metastatic spinal cord compression – when cancer in a part of your body, such as the lungs, spreads into your spine and puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
• Ankylosing spondylitis – a type of arthritis that causes inflammation of your joints and ligaments along your spine and, over time your joints may fuse.
• Spondylosis – spinal degeneration / osteoarthritis of the spine.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of your spinal canal that puts pressure on your spinal nerves and sometimes your spinal cord, causing them to become swollen and inflamed and, can lead to chronic pain, numbness, and muscle weakness in your arms or legs.

Spinal stenosis may be caused by osteoarthritis, enlarged joints, thickened ligaments, bony overgrowths, tumour, infection, bleeding, and disc herniations.

Spinal decompression surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthetic. It typically takes at least an hour, but it may take much longer for more complex cases.

Your spinal surgeon can access your spine via: a posterior approach (incision through your back), an anterior approach (from the front of your body, through your abdomen) or, a lateral approach (through your side).

They will then perform the appropriate procedure or combination of spine decompression procedures based on your diagnosis to achieve more room for your nerves and reduce their impingement.

Like any other kind of surgery, there are risks associated with spinal decompression surgery.

Complications specific to spinal decompression surgery include:

Spinal nerve injury: can cause persistent pain, numbness or weakness and occurs in less than 1 out of 100 cases.
Dural tear: the outer lining which surrounds the nerve roots is called the dura. This covering hold in the spinal fluid and neural tissue. A tear will often be repaired during the procedure and can occur in less than 5 out of 100 cases.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – development of a blood clot in one of your leg veins. In rare cases the clot breaks free and travels to your lungs where it can cause a serious problem called a pulmonary embolism which can occur in fewer than 1 in 700 cases. The risk of clots is reduced by using compression stockings, foot or calf pumps, early mobilisation, keeping well hydrated and for coming off the pill or HRT for ladies.
Scarring: this may be a cause of recurrent leg symptoms
Infection: superficial infection may occur in up to 4 in 100 cases but deep infection may occur in fewer than 1 in 100 cases. To help reduce the risk of infection, antibiotics are given before the procedure and the area is washed before closing / suturing the wound.
Bleeding: in most lumbar spine surgeries, a mild to moderate blood loss can occur but often does not require a blood transfusion. The risk of bleeding is increased with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (eg Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen) or medications to ‘thin the blood’ including Warfarin, Aspirin, Clopidogrel and Rivaroxaban.
Vertebrae failing to fuse: this may occur in less than 3 out of 100 cases
Hardware fracture: the instruments used to stabilise a fusion may break or move before complete fusion.

If you decide to pay for your treatment, Ramsay offer an all-inclusive Total Care package, where a single one-off payment at a pre-agreed price, delivering direct access to all the treatment you need for complete reassurance. You can also spread the cost of your treatment with finance options available.

A spinal decompression may be covered by your medical insurance policy. We advise you to check directly with your insurance provider and get written confirmation before commencing treatment.

These back operations usually require a hospital stay from one to four days, depending on the complexity of the surgery and your mobility before the operation.

You will be encouraged to walk unassisted within a day after your procedure. More strenuous activities should be avoided for about six weeks.

Typically spinal decompression surgery recovery time is usually between four to six weeks. You should follow your surgeon’s and physiotherapist’s advice regarding more strenuous activities. If your job involves driving for long periods or lifting heavy objects, you may need more time off. Your surgeon will be able to advise on this.

This content of this page has been reviewed by Mr Mark Prempeh, Consultant Spinal Surgeon at Oaks Hospital and Springfield Hospital, part of Ramsay Health Care in March 2024.