Ask A Specialist!

Silhouette of a person celebrating in victory pose with "MARATHON PHYSICAL THERAPY" logo in purple and black circular design.

Call us today

(516) 487-9810

Medical Library Back

Choose the body area

Massage therapy session in an office setting with a woman relaxed in a chair, facilitated by a professional.

Neck

Smiling male therapist assists elderly patient in modern physical therapy environment with equipment and natural light.

Shoulder

Female physical therapist assisting a young patient on a treatment table in a Marathon Physical Therapy room.

Back

Patient receiving laser therapy at Marathon Physical Therapy for pain management.

Elbow

Elderly woman exercising with a pink dumbbell, guided by a young trainer at Marathon Physical Therapy facility.

Wrist

Trainer assisting client on treatment table at Marathon Physical Therapy, with exercise equipment in background.

Hip

Therapist using a laser therapy device on a patient's leg at Marathon Physical Therapy for pain relief and rehabilitation.

Knee

Physical therapist with elderly male patient on treatment table at Marathon Physical Therapy with anatomy posters.

Leg

Physical therapy session at Marathon Physical Therapy, focusing on shoulder rehabilitation exercises for injury recovery.

Ankle

OVERVIEW

Lumbar Laminectomy/Discectomy

Human figure emphasizing the spine, highlighted areas suggest focus on spinal health for physical therapy. 

A lumbar laminectomy/discectomy is a common surgery to remove fragments of an extruded herniated disc. This is an example of how the procedure works:

  1. The surgeon incisions through the skin at the center of the spine. A small amount of the bony area, known as the lamina, is exposed. This is called a laminectomy.
  2. The ligamentum flavum is a reflection of the nerves and extruded disc material.
  3. For better visibility of the disc fragments, the spinal nerve is pulled back (moved back). The discectomy, or the removal of damaged disc fragments, is then performed.

After surgery, physical therapy should be recommended. Although each person’s rehabilitation plan will differ, the most common treatment is flexibility, core strengthening and lumbar stabilization. Patients who receive physical therapy following lumbar discectomy tend to have better outcomes than patients who don’t.

GOALS

Possible Treatment Goals

  • Increase your fitness
  • Enhance Function
  • Increase Muscle Strength and Performance
  • Increase oxygen to tissues
  • Enhance Proprioception
  • Reduce postoperative complications
  • Increase range of motion
  • Self-care for Symptoms
  • Increase Safety
  • Increase tolerance for prolonged activities
  • Improve Wound Healing