Posterior decompression surgery

Patients with pain, numbness or muscle weakness caused by degenerative conditions that compress the spinal column will often benefit from posterior decompression surgery. This type of treatment has been shown to help people with severe pain caused by compressed nerves, and many will see a significant improvement in their pain, especially when walking.

The procedure can take place anywhere along the spine, depending on the affected area. Your surgeon will make an incision and remove the excess bone and/or thickened ligaments. Sometimes, a Foraminotomy is also performed at the same time. This is the removal of bone around the neural foramen.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and so you won’t feel any pain.

Your recovery may vary depending on your condition and the complexity of the surgery performed, however, most patients are able to resume light activities eight weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will tailor your recovery plan to your needs and our dedicated physiotherapy team will work with you closely to ensure you recover as fully and as quickly as possible.

As nicotine has been shown to inhibit the ability of bone-growing cells, smoking can negatively impact your recovery from surgery. It is strongly advised to stop smoking at least two to three months before surgery.