Lumbar Laminectomy — / Decompression

Axis Spine Center · Axis Spine Physical Therapy Team

Weight-Bearing

WBAT from POD 1; walking 10-15 min 1-2x/day Phase 1; driving when off narcotics and tolerating 15 min sitting

Key Restrictions

No lifting >15 lbs x initially; no extension/rotation beyond neutral initially; no sitting >30 min; brace for multi-level surgery up to 4 wks; no ROM limits after 4 wks but minimize repeated facet loading up to 8 wks; imaging (A/P lateral with flex/ext views) to identify new instability Phase 2; radicular symptoms may come and go — new weakness/severe pain/global numbness = contact surgeon

Timeline & Phases

2 phases: Phase 1 (0-2 wks, wound healing), Phase 2 (2-6 wks, functional strength/OP PT); stationary bike/water exercise at 4 wks; Pilates at 6 wks; elliptical/yoga/swimming at 8 wks; golf/hunting/running/skiing at 12 wks

Notes

Includes Vertiflex device hardware removal variant; flexion/extension stability imaging at Phase 2; facet loading concept emphasized with education; detailed return-to-activity timelines (bike 4 wks, Pilates 6 wks, elliptical 8 wks, golf/running 12 wks); neural mobilization as needed; TA activation with dead bugs/bird dogs/bridges

Surgeon / Author

Axis Spine Physical Therapy Team

Published

August 2021