Leg pain from spinal narrowing
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve openings can compress the nerves and cause leg pain, especially when walking. Surgery decompresses the nerves, sometimes with a fusion to realign or stabilise the spine.
Results
Laminectomy alone
For narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve openings
289 laminectomies, 2018 to 2024
Data to December 2024
- Improved 81%
- No change 13%
- Worse 6%
- Improved 89%
- No change 7%
- Worse 4%
Laminectomy and fusion
When a vertebra has slipped or the disc has collapsed
460 fusions for leg pain, 2018 to 2024
Data to December 2024
- Improved 75%
- No change 19%
- Worse 6%
- Improved 90%
- No change 8%
- Worse 2%
Treatment
Many people with stenosis manage well for years with activity, rehabilitation and pain management, supported where needed by epidural steroid injections. Surgery is considered when walking distance and quality of life remain limited despite these measures. A decompression removes the bone and ligament pressing on the nerves. When a vertebra has slipped or the disc has collapsed, decompression alone may not be sufficient, so a fusion is added to realign and stabilise the spine. Both operations are followed by a tailored rehabilitation programme at BackSpace.
Technology used: laminectomy alone
Laminectomy is performed with the Sonopet ultrasonic bone scalpel. Its water-cooled tip vibrates at ultrasonic speed to cut bone precisely while leaving the soft tissue around it largely undisturbed, which helps protect the nerves and reduces bleeding.
Technology used: laminectomy and fusion
The decompression is performed with the Sonopet ultrasonic bone scalpel, whose water-cooled tip cuts bone precisely and helps protect the nerves. Pedicle screws are then inserted with the assistance of the Loop-X robotic scanner and Curve navigation, which track each screw on a 3D scan as it is placed and confirm its position before the operation ends.