US Medical Term · procedures
Laminectomy
Laminectomía
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Laminectomy |
| Spanish (Español) | Laminectomía |
| Chinese (中文) | 椎板切除術 |
| Korean (한국어) | 추궁절제술 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Phẫu thuật cắt bản sống |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Laminectomy |
| Portuguese (Português) | Laminectomia |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การผ่าตัดเอาแผ่นกระดูกสันหลังออก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 椎弓切除術 |
What it means
A laminectomy is surgery that removes part or all of the lamina, the back portion of a vertebra, to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. It is commonly performed for spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes one to three hours. A hospital stay of one to three days is typical. Most patients notice improvement in leg symptoms soon after surgery. Recovery involves avoiding heavy lifting for several weeks, and physical therapy is often recommended to strengthen back muscles and prevent future problems.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My neurosurgeon is recommending a laminectomy to take pressure off the nerves in my lower back.
Mi neurocirujano recomienda una laminectomía para aliviar la presión en los nervios de mi zona lumbar.
Will a laminectomy cure my leg numbness and weakness?
¿La laminectomía curará el entumecimiento y la debilidad en mis piernas?
How soon after a laminectomy can I start walking and doing physical therapy?
¿Qué tan pronto después de la laminectomía puedo empezar a caminar y hacer fisioterapia?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026