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Laminotomy Recovery?
Hello! I am scheduled for a Laminotomy to relive the symptoms of numbness & intense heat in my pelvic area and left leg (cauda equina syndrome). I am over 70, have stenosis, scoliosis and osteoporosis and am fairly active: swim, Pilates, weights machines, elypical machine. I used to walk for an hour a day, but my symptoms are making that difficult. Has anyone had a laminotomy? How long is the recovery? Any info or tips would be helpful! Thank you.
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Yes I have discussed a little bit the fusion possibility. At first he said I don't need it and it seemed like things were going well but the last three weeks I've been in a lot of pain with my calf muscles throbbing constantly after I walk and it's very hard to get more than 2 hours of sleep without going on. I am very afraid of fusions because of the osteoporosis. I wonder how they can tell if my Spine is destabilized.
Has anyone had a Laminotomy to relieve pain on the spine??? Was it successful?
I did but it only helped for four months now I need fusion and laminectomy I was told.
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1 ReactionSorry to hear that. Fusions are not my favorite. I was hoping for a longer-term relief. But I guess 4 months is still something 🤔
Everyone's case is different ! It may help you long term. How old are you and do you have osteoporosis ?
In 2023, I had an Abbott Spinal Cord Stimulator placed in the spine. A laminectomy was also performed.
In 2025, the SCS was removed for reasons. Interesting, the pain associated along the spine left side appeared to disappeared. The test is sitting for a duration of time, and we returned from Europe in May, where the lower spine didn't flare up, where I would take tramadol in the past, to keep the pain at bay.
I asked the GP about the absence of pain and the benefit of the laminectomy. He agreed that possibly the laminectomy could had severed the nerve, to allow relief.
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2 ReactionsThis is great!!! So glad to hear of such a positive outcome from your surgery. I don't ;have problems sitting, it's walking that the left side flares up. Was the recovery time for you surgery in 2023 long? BRAVO! It's good to hear you were able to keep traveling. We also like to travel, but this pain has cut that out now.
Yes, you are right, everyone's case is different, I sometimes forget that when I am reaching out for answers... I'm over 70 and have osteoarthritis
The 2023 recovery from the spinal cord stimulator implant was eight weeks.
No lifting or bending.
Plenty of walking. You begin a five day trial to see if you are a candidate. I thought it would work, and had many programs from the rep revised, but it wasn’t my thing. When the SCS was removed, recover y was possibly a week.
Good luck to you. Try the trial and see if it will beneficial to you.
@iso7bel Good morning from California. 😊
Do you know what degree of scoliosis you have and what vertebrae it encompasses? I had a 40° curve and had T 11 through L4 fused last December. It completely took away all of my back pain and sciatica pain.
Because scoliosis can create pressure on your spinal cord and result in numbness, etc. I was wondering if a laminectomy is the first step to relieve your symptoms or does your surgeon think it’s the only treatment you will need? And my question is geared more to the fact that you have stenosis and scoliosis.
Best, Sherry 😊