Lumbar Laminectomy — POST-OP Rehabilitation

Advanced Health and Sports Medicine Physiotherapy (AHSMP) · AHSMP Clinical Team (Sydney, Australia)

Weight-Bearing

WBAT; gentle walking <10 min Phase 1; progress to 20 min by wk 4

Key Restrictions

No spinal bending/twisting x 2 wks; no lifting x 2 wks; log roll to get out of bed; avoid prolonged positions; avoid hamstring stretch if sciatic nerve irritation persists; lifting max 10% BW wks 2-4, 15% BW wks 4-6; avoid end-range lumbar ROM

Timeline & Phases

6+ phases (weekly): wks 1-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-12, 12+; PT 1-2x/wk throughout

Notes

International protocol (Australia); 2023; real-time ultrasound for TA/PF activation wks 1-2; Pilates reformer integrated Phase 2+; hydrotherapy optional; manual therapy adjacent to (not at) operated levels; virtually identical structure to AHSMP discectomy protocol; low-grade manual therapy to lumbar segments adjacent to operated levels; criterion-based progression

Surgeon / Author

AHSMP Clinical Team (Sydney, Australia)

Published

May 2023