Laminectomy in Lexington, KY

A minimally invasive spinal decompression procedure that uses small incisions, muscle-sparing technique, and same-day discharge for appropriate candidates with lumbar spinal stenosis, neurogenic claudication, or nerve compression. Dr. David McConda leads Aptiva Health Lexingtons’ lumbar decompression program, combining decades of Lexington experience with fellowship-trained expertise from AOSpine — the international foundation that sets clinical standards in spine surgery.

Medically reviewed by David McConda, MD — July 2026.

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Lumbar Laminectomy — Relieving Nerve Pressure, Not Fusing the Spine

If you've been suffering with leg pain, leg heaviness, cramping with walking, numbness, or weakness from lumbar spinal stenosis, thickened spinal ligaments, or bone spurs pressing on your nerves — and conservative care hasn't worked — a lumbar laminectomy may be the right next step.

A laminectomy is a decompression procedure. The surgeon removes a portion of the lamina — the bony roof of the spinal canal — along with any thickened ligament or bone spur that is pressing on the nerves. The goal is simple: make more room for the nerves so they can stop firing pain signals down your legs.

At Aptiva Health in Lexington, we perform lumbar laminectomy using minimally invasive techniques through a small midline incision, with muscle-sparing retractors that dilate the back muscles rather than cutting them. Most patients go home the same day, walk within hours of surgery, and return to desk work within two weeks.

A laminectomy does not fuse your spine. The vertebrae continue to move normally afterward. For patients whose problem is nerve compression and structural instability (such as spondylolisthesis), a fusion procedure such as MAS TLIF may be added. For patients whose problem is a focal disc herniation pressing on a single nerve root, a microdiscectomy is often the better choice. We'll help you understand which procedure fits your anatomy.

Conditions We Treat With Lumbar Laminectomy

Lumbar laminectomy is the minimally invasive solution for nerve compression caused by narrowing of the spinal canal. It is most commonly used for:

• Lumbar spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the spinal nerves, causing leg pain, heaviness, and cramping (the #1 indication for laminectomy)

• Neurogenic claudication — leg pain, weakness, or cramping that comes on with walking or standing and is relieved by sitting or bending forward (the classic symptom of lumbar stenosis)

• Severe central disc herniations that cause canal stenosis affecting multiple nerve roots

• Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum — thickening of the spinal ligaments that pinches the nerves

• Lumbar bone spurs (osteophytes) compressing the spinal canal

• Lumbar radiculopathy unresponsive to conservative care, when caused by stenosis rather than a focal disc herniation

• Cauda equina syndrome — a surgical emergency where severe central compression causes loss of bowel or bladder control and saddle numbness

• Synovial cysts of the lumbar spine compressing the nerves

Not sure if your back and leg pain is a stenosis problem, a disc problem, or an instability problem? Compare options on our MAS TLIF Lexington, Microdiscectomy Lexington, and Spine Surgery Lexington pages, or get evaluated by an Aptiva spine provider.

Laminectomy vs. Fusion vs. Microdiscectomy — Which Procedure Is Right?

All three procedures relieve nerve compression in the lumbar spine. The difference is what is causing the compression and whether the spine needs to be stabilized.

Lumbar Laminectomy (Decompression Only)

• Removes a portion of the lamina to make room for compressed nerves

• Does not fuse vertebrae — motion is preserved

• Best for lumbar spinal stenosis without instability

• Single small midline incision, typically less than two inches

• Outpatient — same-day discharge for most patients

• Surgery time: 1 to 2 hours

• Return to desk work: ~2 weeks

• Return to physical labor: 6 to 12 weeks

Lumbar Microdiscectomy

• Removes only the herniated piece of disc pressing on a single nerve root

• The smallest of the three procedures

• Best for focal disc herniation with leg pain (sciatica) when imaging shows a single compressed nerve

• Outpatient, typically less than one-inch incision

• Surgery time: ~1 hour

• See Microdiscectomy Lexington for full details

Lumbar Fusion — MAS TLIF

• Decompresses the nerves and fuses two vertebrae together with an interbody cage, screws, and rods

• Best for stenosis plus instability — e.g., spondylolisthesis, severe degenerative disc disease, or recurrent disc herniation with mechanical back pain

• Outpatient or one-night stay possible for appropriately selected patients

• Surgery time: 2 to 4 hours

• See MAS TLIF Lexington for full details

The key question: Is your spine stable? If imaging shows stenosis but the vertebrae are not slipping, a laminectomy alone is usually enough. If imaging shows stenosis plus abnormal vertebral motion, a laminectomy combined with fusion gives more durable relief. Aptiva's surgeons recommend the smallest, least invasive procedure that will solve the problem — not the biggest one.

What to Expect From Lumbar Laminectomy Surgery

Before Surgery

• Lumbar MRI (and sometimes a CT) at Aptiva Health Imaging in Lexington to confirm the level and source of nerve compression

• Pre-operative consultation with your Aptiva spine surgeon to review imaging, symptoms, and surgical plan

• Medical clearance and pre-operative labs

• Confirmation that conservative care has been exhausted (typically including physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, activity modification, and often one or more epidural steroid injections)

• Fasting instructions per anesthesia protocol

• Arrange a ride home — you cannot drive yourself the day of surgery

Day of Surgery

• Arrive 1 to 2 hours before surgery start time

• General anesthesia administered

• Small midline or paramedian incision made over the affected lumbar level (typically less than two inches)

• Muscle-sparing retractors used to gain access without cutting the back muscles

• Under microscopic or loupe magnification, the surgeon removes the appropriate portion of the lamina using a surgical drill and Kerrison rongeurs

• Thickened ligamentum flavum is removed

• Bone spurs compressing the nerves are decompressed

• The spinal nerves are directly visualized to confirm decompression is complete

• Incision is closed in layers

• Single-level procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours

• 2 to 3 hours in post-anesthesia recovery, then discharge home the same day for most patients

After Surgery

• Walking encouraged within hours of surgery

• Most patients report immediate relief of leg pain, heaviness, or cramping

• Pain medication tapered quickly as discomfort subsides

• Desk work: typically 2 weeks

• Driving: typically 2 weeks (once off narcotic pain medication)

• Light exercise: 4 weeks

• Physical labor and high-impact activity: 6 to 12 weeks

• No bone-growth waiting period — unlike a fusion, recovery is governed by soft-tissue healing alone

• Post-operative follow-up at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months

Why Choose Aptiva Health for Your Laminectomy

Minimally invasive technique, not traditional open decompression. Aptiva performs lumbar laminectomy using small incisions and muscle-sparing retractors — not the larger midline incision and muscle-stripping approach used in traditional open laminectomy. Patients recover at home, not in a multi-day hospital stay.

A surgeon with over 20 years experience. Dr. David McConda is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at Aptiva Health, fellowship-trained at OrthoCarolina Spine Center in Charlotte through the AOSpine North America Spine Surgery Fellowship — the premier spine-surgery training program of AOSpine, the international foundation that sets clinical standards in spine care.

A dedicated spine team. Spine surgery isn't a side specialty at Aptiva — it's a focus. Our Indianapolis team includes board-certified spine and orthopedic surgeons, an interventional pain physician, and dedicated PAs and an NP who care for spine patients every day.

Honest guidance — decompression only when conservative care has failed. We don't recommend surgery unless imaging shows a clear structural cause of nerve compression and a well-documented course of non-surgical care has failed. Our interventional pain specialist, Dr. Steven Ganzel, performs epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, and radiofrequency ablation — non-surgical options that provide lasting relief for many patients with spinal stenosis and may avoid the need for surgery entirely.

The right procedure — not the biggest one. For patients with a single herniated disc and no stenosis, lumbar microdiscectomy is often the better choice. For patients with stenosis plus instability, a combined laminectomy and MAS TLIF fusion may be appropriate. We evaluate every patient individually and recommend the least invasive procedure that will solve the problem.

Fast access. Stop waiting weeks for an answer. Most patients see an Aptiva spine provider within days of calling.

One team, start to finish. From your first call to your final post-op visit, you'll work with the same Aptiva team. We handle insurance verification, scheduling, and post-op care in-house.

Cash-pay options available. For patients without insurance — or with high deductibles — we offer transparent, all-inclusive cash-pay pricing for laminectomy that includes the surgeon, facility, anesthesia, and post-operative visits. No surprise hospital bills.

Schedule your appointment today!

Your Lexington Spine Care Team

At Aptiva Health, your spine care is delivered by a team of board-certified surgeons and advanced practice providers who focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine — including spinal stenosis, herniated discs, sciatica, and degenerative spine conditions.

Insurances Accepted

Aptiva Health accepts most major insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid Managed Care, workers' compensation, and auto insurance (PIP and Medpay). We verify benefits and provide a clear cost estimate before surgery.

Lumbar laminectomy is a well-established procedure covered by Medicare and most major commercial insurance plans when medically necessary. Single-level and multi-level laminectomies are both routinely covered when imaging and clinical criteria are met.

For patients paying out of pocket, we offer transparent, bundled cash-pay pricing for lumbar laminectomy that includes the surgeon, facility, anesthesia, and post-operative visits — no surprise itemized hospital bills.

Call 859-592-1008 to verify your insurance or request a cash-pay quote.

Ready for Relief From Leg Pain and Spinal Stenosis?

If you've been suffering with leg pain, heaviness, cramping with walking, numbness, or weakness — and conservative care hasn't worked — it's time to talk to Aptiva's spine team about whether a lumbar laminectomy is right for you.

Schedule a Consultation in Lexington — Schedule Now

Aptiva Health – Lexington: 230 Fountain Court, Suite 180 Lexington, KY 40509

📞 859-592-1008

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Our office sits in the Hamburg area off Sir Barton Way, convenient to Man o' War Boulevard and I-75. We serve patients across Lexington and surrounding communities:

• Downtown Lexington — approx. 10 minutes

• Nicholasville — approx. 20 minutes

• Georgetown — approx. 20 minutes

• Winchester — approx. 20 minutes

• Richmond — approx. 25 minutes

• Versailles — approx. 25 minutes

• Frankfort — approx. 35 minutes

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Walk-in injury care availability may vary; call ahead to confirm.

Insurance accepted: Most major medical insurance, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, most Indiana Medicaid plans, workers' compensation, auto injury coverage (PIP and MedPay), and cash-pay.

Lumbar Laminectomy: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a lumbar laminectomy?

A. A lumbar laminectomy is a surgical decompression procedure that removes a portion of the lamina—the bony roof of the spinal canal—to create more space for compressed spinal nerves. It is one of the most common surgical treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis. The goal is to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves rather than stabilize or fuse the spine. At Aptiva Health Lexington, Dr. David McConda, a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, performs lumbar laminectomy using minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate, allowing many patients to return home the same day.

Q. What conditions does a lumbar laminectomy treat?

A. Lumbar laminectomy is most commonly recommended for lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition in which narrowing of the spinal canal compresses the spinal nerves and causes symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, heaviness, or cramping while walking (neurogenic claudication). It may also be recommended for bone spurs compressing spinal nerves, thickened ligamentum flavum, severe central lumbar disc herniations causing spinal canal narrowing, lumbar radiculopathy that has not improved with conservative treatment, and certain emergency conditions such as cauda equina syndrome. Dr. McConda carefully reviews your symptoms, physical examination, and MRI findings to determine whether lumbar laminectomy is the most appropriate treatment.

Q. What is the difference between a laminectomy and a spinal fusion?

A. A lumbar laminectomy relieves pressure on compressed nerves by creating additional space within the spinal canal and preserves spinal motion whenever possible. A spinal fusion permanently joins two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine and may be recommended when spinal stenosis is accompanied by spondylolisthesis, spinal instability, degenerative scoliosis, or significant abnormal motion. Many patients require only a decompression procedure, while others benefit from a combined decompression and fusion.

Q. What is the difference between a laminectomy and a microdiscectomy?

A. Although both procedures relieve pressure on spinal nerves, they address different conditions. A microdiscectomy removes a portion of a herniated disc pressing on a single nerve root and is commonly performed for sciatica caused by a lumbar disc herniation. A laminectomy removes part of the lamina to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve pressure caused by spinal stenosis, bone spurs, or thickened ligaments rather than a single herniated disc. Some patients benefit from a combination of both procedures.

Q. Is a lumbar laminectomy an outpatient procedure?

A. Yes. Most single-level lumbar laminectomies performed by Dr. David McConda at Aptiva Health Lexington are outpatient procedures. Patients typically arrive the morning of surgery, undergo a procedure lasting approximately 1–2 hours, recover for several hours afterward, and return home the same day. Patients undergoing more extensive procedures or those with certain medical conditions may require an overnight hospital stay.

Q. Am I a candidate for lumbar laminectomy?

A. You may be a candidate if you have persistent leg pain, numbness, weakness, cramping or heaviness while walking, MRI-confirmed lumbar spinal stenosis, and symptoms that have not improved with conservative treatment. Before recommending surgery, your care team will usually discuss non-surgical options such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, epidural steroid injections, and other image-guided pain procedures. At Aptiva Health Lexington, Dr. David McConda works closely with Steven Ganzel, DO, who specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and interventional spine and pain management, helping ensure surgery is recommended only when conservative care is no longer effective.

Q. How long does lumbar laminectomy surgery take?

A. A single-level lumbar laminectomy generally takes 1 to 2 hours. Including pre-operative preparation, anesthesia, and recovery, most patients spend approximately 4 to 6 hours at the surgical center before returning home.

Q. How long is recovery after a lumbar laminectomy?

A. Recovery varies depending on your health and the extent of surgery, but many patients recover relatively quickly. Most patients begin walking the day of surgery, return to desk work within approximately two weeks, resume driving once cleared by their surgeon and no longer taking prescription pain medication, begin light exercise after several weeks, and return to more strenuous activities over 6–12 weeks. Because the spine is not fused, many patients notice improvement in leg pain and walking tolerance within the first few weeks.

Q. What is the success rate of lumbar laminectomy?

A. Lumbar laminectomy has been shown to provide significant improvement in leg pain, walking tolerance, and quality of life for many appropriately selected patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Success depends on your diagnosis, the severity and duration of symptoms, your overall health, and following your post-operative recovery plan. During your consultation, Dr. McConda will discuss your expected outcome based on your specific condition.

Q. Will I lose flexibility after a laminectomy?

A. No. Because a lumbar laminectomy does not fuse the vertebrae, most patients maintain normal spinal motion. Many actually experience improved mobility because pain, numbness, and weakness no longer limit their daily activities.

Q. Will my insurance cover lumbar laminectomy?

A. Most major insurance plans, Medicare, and many workers' compensation plans cover lumbar laminectomy when it is medically necessary. Aptiva Health Lexington works with many insurance providers and will verify your benefits before surgery. Our team can also discuss transparent self-pay options when needed.

Q. Who performs lumbar laminectomy at Aptiva Health Lexington?

A. Lumbar laminectomy is performed by Dr. David McConda, a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the surgical treatment of neck and back disorders. Patients receive coordinated care through a multidisciplinary spine program. Dr. McConda works closely with Steven Ganzel, DO, a specialist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and interventional spine care, who provides non-operative treatments including epidural steroid injections, facet interventions, radiofrequency ablation, rehabilitation planning, and comprehensive pain management. This collaborative approach helps ensure every patient receives the most appropriate treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical.

Q. Should I try non-surgical treatment before considering surgery?

A. In most cases, yes. Whenever appropriate, the spine specialists at Aptiva Health Lexington begin with conservative treatment before recommending surgery. Non-surgical options may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and other image-guided interventional pain procedures. Working together, Dr. David McConda and Steven Ganzel, DO evaluate each patient's symptoms, imaging, and response to conservative care. If these treatments no longer provide adequate relief or neurological symptoms continue to worsen, Dr. McConda can determine whether lumbar laminectomy is the next appropriate step. This coordinated, patient-centered approach ensures patients receive the right treatment at the right time.

Questions? Call us today! 859-592-1008