Spinal Decompression Surgery
Spinal Decompression Surgery in Milwaukee, WI
Spinal decompression surgery is a procedure designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots caused by narrowing of the spinal canal – a condition often linked to spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or degenerative changes. By removing or reshaping parts of the vertebrae, decompression surgery helps restore space in the spinal column and alleviate pain, numbness, or weakness.
This surgery is often recommended when conservative treatments – like physical therapy, medication, or injections – fail to provide lasting pain relief. It’s particularly effective for patients experiencing sciatica, leg weakness, or neurogenic claudication.
Right here in Milwaukee, Dr. Branko Prpa – a board-certified spine surgeon – offers personalized care using advanced, minimally invasive spinal decompression techniques designed around each patient’s specific comfort, needs, and long-term recovery goals.
What Conditions Require Spinal Decompression?
Several spine-related conditions can lead to nerve compression and warrant surgical intervention. The most common reason is spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the spinal cord and nerves, often causing leg pain and mobility issues.
Other conditions include:
- Herniated discs, where displaced disc material presses on the nerve root
- Degenerative changes causing nerve compression
- Neurogenic claudication, marked by pain and weakness when walking
- Sciatica or radiating leg pain
When symptoms persist despite conservative care, or when there is progressive neurological decline, spine surgery becomes a logical next step. Patients looking to learn more about herniated disc treatment or treatment options for spinal stenosis often find that decompression provides the relief they’ve been seeking.
Types of Spinal Decompression Surgeries We Offer
Our Milwaukee practice offers several surgical options, each tailored to specific spinal issues and levels of severity:
- Laminectomy – A standard decompression surgery involving the full removal of the lamina to widen the spinal canal
- Laminotomy – A minimally invasive alternative where only part of the lamina is removed, often with tubular retractors
- Microdiscectomy – A targeted procedure to remove disc fragments pressing on a nerve root, often used for herniated discs
These procedures can be performed as standalone solutions or in combination with spinal fusion surgery, depending on the stability of the spinal column.
What Is a Laminectomy?
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a portion of the vertebral bone called the lamina. At its most minimally invasive, the procedure requires only small skin incisions. The back muscles are pushed aside rather than cut and the parts of the vertebra adjacent to the lamina are left intact. Recovery occurs within a few days.
Method
The lamina is a posterior arch of the vertebral bone lying between the spinous process (which juts out in the middle) and the more lateral pedicles and the transverse processes of each vertebra. The pair of laminae, along with the spinous process, make up the posterior wall of the bony spinal canal. Although the literal meaning of laminectomy is ‘excision of the lamina’, a conventional laminectomy surgery in neurosurgery and orthopedics involves excision of the posterior spinal ligament and some or all of the spinous process. Removal of these structures with an open technique requires disconnecting the many muscles of the back attached to them. A laminectomy performed as a minimal spinal surgery procedure is a tissue-preserving surgery that leaves more of the muscle intact and spares the spinal process. Another procedure, called the laminotomy, is the removal of a mid-portion of one lamina and may be done either with a conventional open technique or in a minimalistic fashion with the use of tubular retractors and endoscopes.
A lamina is rarely, if ever, removed because the lamina itself is diseased. Instead, removal is done to break the continuity of the rigid ring of the spinal canal to allow the soft tissues within the canal to: 1) expand (decompress); 2) change the contour of the vertebral column; or 3) permit access to deeper tissue inside the spinal canal. A laminectomy is also the name of a spinal operation that conventionally includes the removal of one or both lamina, as well as other posterior supporting structures of the vertebral column, including ligaments and additional bone. The actual bone removal may be carried out with a variety of surgical tools, including drills, rongeurs and lasers.
The recovery period after a laminectomy surgery depends on the specific operative technique, with minimally invasive procedures having significantly shorter recovery periods than open surgery. Removal of substantial amounts of bone and tissue may require additional procedures such as spinal fusion to stabilize the spine and generally require a much longer recovery period than a simple laminectomy.
If you also had spinal fusion, your recovery time may be longer. In some cases after lumbar laminectomy and spinal fusion, it may be several months before you can return to your normal activities. Potential complications include: bleeding, infection, blood clots, nerve injury, & spinal fluid leak.
For spinal stenosis
Most commonly, a laminectomy is performed to treat spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is the single most common diagnosis that leads to spinal surgery, of which a laminectomy represents one component. The lamina of the vertebra is removed or trimmed to widen the spinal canal and create more space for the spinal nerves and thecal sac. Surgical treatment that includes a laminectomy is the most effective remedy for severe spinal stenosis; however, most cases of spinal stenosis are not severe enough to require surgery. When the disabling symptoms of spinal stenosis are primarily neurogenic claudication and the laminectomy is done without spinal fusion, there is generally a rapid recovery and long term relief. However, if the spinal column is unstable and fusion is required, the recovery period can last from several months to more than a year, and the likelihood of symptom relief is far less probable.
Microdiscectomy
In a microdiscectomy or microdecompression spine surgery, a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root is removed to relieve neural impingement and provide more room for the nerve to heal. A microdiscectomy surgery is typically performed for a herniated lumbar disc and is actually more effective for treating leg pain (also known as radiculopathy) than lower back pain.
Impingement on the nerve root (compression) can cause substantial leg pain. While it may take weeks or months for the nerve root to fully heal and any numbness or weakness to get better, patients normally feel relief from leg pain almost immediately after a microdiscectomy spine surgery.
How Microdiscectomy Surgery Is Performed
A microdiscectomy is performed through a small (1 inch to 1 1/2 inch) incision in the midline of the low back.
- First, the back muscles (erector spinae) are lifted off the bony arch (lamina) of the spine. Since these back muscles run vertically, they can be moved out of the way rather than cut.
- The surgeon is then able to enter the spine by removing a membrane over the nerve roots (ligamentum flavum), and uses either operating glasses (loupes) or an operating microscope to visualize the nerve root.
What to Expect After Surgery
Recovery from spinal surgery varies based on the complexity of the procedure. For minimally invasive techniques like laminotomy or microdiscectomy, many patients return to light activities within 1–2 weeks. However, if a spinal fusion is performed – especially with a bone graft – recovery may take several months.
Post-op care often includes:
- Activity restrictions
- Physical therapy for core strength and flexibility
- Wound care and pain management
Patients should also be aware of potential complications, including infection, nerve damage, or spinal fluid leaks. That said, most patients experience significant pain relief, improved function, and better mobility following spinal decompression surgeries.
Why Choose Dr. Branko Prpa for Your Spine Surgery
Dr. Branko Prpa offers a personalized, hands-on approach to spinal surgery that has made him a trusted resource for patients throughout Milwaukee. With decades of experience and a focus on minimally invasive techniques, he provides tailored surgical plans that prioritize precision, safety, and optimal outcomes.
Patients benefit from:
- Local, accessible care
- Comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis
- Expertise in managing degenerative disc disease, trauma, and complex spinal issues
- High standards of patient education and follow-up
If you’re weighing options between local and out-of-town providers, staying close to home for care with a leading spine surgeon like Dr. Prpa offers both convenience and continuity of care.
Schedule a Consultation in Milwaukee
Persistent back pain or nerve symptoms shouldn’t be a permanent part of your life. If you’re ready to explore your options, reach out to schedule your spine evaluation today. Our Milwaukee clinic is equipped to guide you from diagnosis through recovery with leading-edge care.
Book your appointment with Dr. Branko Prpa using our online form or call our office directly. Our team will provide all the information you need, including office hours, accepted insurance, and what to bring on your first visit.
Let’s take the next step toward lasting relief.