Laminectomy in Elizabethtown, Kentucky
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. Michael Casnellie leads Aptiva Health's lumbar decompression program, combining decades of experience with fellowship-trained expertise from AOSpine — the international foundation that sets clinical standards in spine surgery.
Medically reviewed by Michael Casnellie, MD. Schedule your appointment today!
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 Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, Microdiscectomy Elizabethtown, and Spine Surgery Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown 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 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.
Fellowship-trained fusion surgeons. Michael Casnellie, MD completed his fellowship at Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis and is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS).
A dedicated spine team. Spine surgery isn't a side specialty at Aptiva — it's a focus. Our Elizabethtown 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.
Self-pay options. We offer self-pay where there is no insurance, it is a non-covered service, and on a case-by-case basis. Call 270-506-4888 and our team will check your plan.
Schedule your appointment today!
Your Elizabethtown 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. Your evaluation, injections, pre-operative visit, follow-ups and physical therapy all take place at our Elizabethtown clinic on Westport Road; the laminectomy itself is performed in the Louisville metro area. Physical therapy at Westport Road is provided by Simon Hoehn, PT, DPT and Dovie Brown, PTA, who works one on one with patients and has extensive experience treating orthopedic injuries and conditions.
Dr. Michael Casnellie — Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. Casnellie has been treating spine patients in Louisville since 2005 and is one of the most experienced motion-preservation spine surgeons in Kentucky. He performed Kentucky's first Prestige cervical artificial disc replacement — a procedure that preserves motion at the affected level of the cervical spine instead of fusing it — and remains one of the few surgeons in the state offering both cervical and lumbar disc replacement to appropriate candidates.
Michael Gilbert, PA-C — Orthopedic Spine Physician Assistant
With 33 years of experience as a practicing physician assistant, Michael Gilbert has dedicated his expertise to the field of general orthopedics, spine care, joint injections, and fracture care. Michael is married with two daughters and serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Kentucky Army National Guard. In addition to his military service, Michael dons the hat of a soccer referee and showcases his culinary talents as a pastry chef.
David Koonce, DNP — Doctor of Nursing Practice
David Koonce, ARNP, DNP, FNP-C is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 15 years of successful nursing experience in various clinical and leadership roles within dynamic health care settings. David works directly with Dr. Casnellie in the Spine department to evaluate, diagnose, and treat spine conditions, diseases, and injuries. David also has a strong background in wellness and has completed advanced training in hormone optimization, anti-aging, and injury prevention.
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.
We offer self-pay where there is no insurance, it is a non-covered service, and on a case-by-case basis.
Call 270-506-4888 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 Elizabethtown — Schedule Now
Aptiva Health – Elizabethtown: 529 Westport Road, Suite 2, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Drive times:
10 minutes from Fort Knox
12 minutes from Radcliff
15 minutes from Vine Grove
20 minutes from Cecilia and Hodgenville
25 minutes from Brandenburg and Sonora
30 minutes from Bardstown and Leitchfield
45 minutes from south Louisville via I-65
Communities we serve: Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Fort Knox, Vine Grove, Cecilia, Sonora, Hodgenville, Bardstown, Leitchfield, Brandenburg, Shepherdsville, and across Hardin, Meade, Nelson, LaRue, and Grayson counties.
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 Kentucky Medicaid
Lumbar Laminectomy in Elizabethtown, KY: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lumbar laminectomy?
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 commonly used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis.
The goal is to relieve pressure on the nerves rather than automatically fuse or stabilize the spine. For Aptiva Health Elizabethtown patients, Michael Casnellie, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, serves as the primary provider for lumbar laminectomy evaluations and surgical care.
What conditions does a laminectomy treat?
Lumbar laminectomy is most commonly used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can place pressure on the nerves and contribute to leg pain, heaviness, numbness, weakness, or cramping with walking or standing.
It may also be considered for certain cases involving severe central disc herniation, bone spurs, thickened spinal ligaments, or lumbar radiculopathy. Dr. Casnellie reviews each patient's symptoms and imaging to determine whether surgical decompression may be appropriate.
What is the difference between a laminectomy and a spinal fusion?
A laminectomy is designed to create more room around compressed nerves by removing a portion of bone from the back of the spinal canal. It does not, by itself, fuse the vertebrae together.
A lumbar fusion, such as MAS TLIF, joins vertebrae together to address certain conditions involving spinal instability. Some patients with spinal stenosis may need decompression alone, while others with additional instability, such as spondylolisthesis, may require a different or combined surgical approach.
At Aptiva Health Elizabethtown, Dr. Michael Casnellie evaluates the structure and stability of the spine before recommending a treatment plan.
What is the difference between a laminectomy and a microdiscectomy?
A microdiscectomy typically removes a portion of herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root.
A laminectomy removes part of the lamina to create additional space within the spinal canal. It may be considered when nerve compression is caused by more generalized narrowing from spinal stenosis, bone spurs, or thickened ligaments.
Some patients have more than one source of nerve compression, so Dr. Casnellie reviews the patient's MRI and clinical findings to determine which procedure, if any, is appropriate.
Is lumbar laminectomy an outpatient procedure?
Many lumbar laminectomy procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis in appropriately selected patients, although the surgical setting and length of stay depend on the number of spinal levels being treated, the patient's overall health, and the specific procedure.
Dr. Casnellie and the Aptiva Health surgical team will explain what to expect before surgery based on your individual treatment plan.
Am I a candidate for lumbar laminectomy?
Lumbar laminectomy may be considered for patients who have symptoms such as persistent leg pain, numbness, weakness, heaviness, or cramping associated with lumbar spinal stenosis or nerve compression seen on imaging.
Many patients first try non-surgical treatment, which may include physical therapy, medication, activity modification, or epidural steroid injections.
At Aptiva Health Elizabethtown, Michael Casnellie, MD reviews your symptoms, examination, treatment history, and lumbar imaging to determine whether laminectomy should be considered.
How long does laminectomy surgery take?
The length of a lumbar laminectomy depends on factors such as the number of levels being treated and the complexity of the patient's condition. A single-level procedure may take less time than a multi-level decompression.
Before surgery, Dr. Casnellie will review the planned procedure and provide guidance about the expected surgical and recovery process.
How long is recovery after a laminectomy?
Recovery after lumbar laminectomy varies from patient to patient. Walking and gentle activity are often encouraged during the early recovery period, while return to work, driving, exercise, and more physically demanding activities depends on the procedure and individual progress.
Because every patient's recovery is different, Dr. Casnellie provides personalized guidance regarding activity restrictions, rehabilitation, and return to work following surgery.
What results can patients expect after a laminectomy?
Lumbar laminectomy is intended to relieve pressure on compressed spinal nerves. Published clinical research has reported improvement in symptoms such as leg pain and walking tolerance among appropriately selected patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
Individual results vary based on factors such as the severity and location of nerve compression, overall spine health, other medical conditions, and the patient's recovery.
During your consultation at Aptiva Health Elizabethtown, Dr. Casnellie can discuss the potential benefits, limitations, and risks of the procedure as they relate to your specific condition.
Will I lose flexibility in my lower back after a laminectomy?
Because a laminectomy does not automatically fuse the vertebrae together, the procedure is intended to decompress the nerves while preserving spinal motion when appropriate.
The effect on flexibility varies based on the extent of surgery and the patient's underlying condition. Dr. Casnellie can explain how the planned procedure may affect movement and activity based on your individual anatomy.
Will insurance cover a lumbar laminectomy?
Insurance coverage depends on your specific plan, diagnosis, medical-necessity requirements, and authorization criteria. Lumbar laminectomy is an established procedure that may be covered by Medicare and many commercial insurance plans when coverage requirements are met.
Aptiva Health works with a range of insurance options and can help verify benefits and discuss anticipated costs before a scheduled procedure.
Who performs lumbar laminectomy for Aptiva Health Elizabethtown patients?
Lumbar laminectomy care for Aptiva Health Elizabethtown patients is led by Michael Casnellie, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon.
Dr. Casnellie serves as the primary provider for evaluation and surgical treatment of lumbar spinal conditions, including spinal stenosis and nerve compression. The broader Aptiva Health spine team can support patients throughout evaluation, treatment planning, surgical care, and post-operative follow-up.
Should I try non-surgical options before considering a laminectomy?
In many cases, non-surgical treatment is considered before lumbar laminectomy. Depending on the diagnosis and symptoms, options may include physical therapy, medication, activity modification, or interventional pain procedures such as epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, or radiofrequency ablation.
If symptoms continue despite conservative treatment, Dr. Michael Casnellie can review your condition and discuss whether lumbar laminectomy or another treatment option should be considered.
Where can I see a lumbar laminectomy surgeon in Elizabethtown?
Patients in Elizabethtown and surrounding Central Kentucky communities can turn to Aptiva Health for evaluation of lumbar spinal stenosis, nerve compression, and other lower-back conditions.
Michael Casnellie, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, serves as the primary spine surgery provider for Aptiva Health Elizabethtown patients and can guide care from initial evaluation through treatment and follow-up.