A lumbar laminectomy in Paramus, NJ, may relieve pressure on spinal nerves when narrowing in the lower back causes persistent pain, numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking.
Neurosurgical Experience
Laminectomy Decisions
Compression Clearly Identified
A lumbar laminectomy removes part of the lamina, the bone covering the back of the spinal canal, to create more room for compressed nerves. The procedure may be considered when symptoms and imaging point to lumbar nerve compression that has not improved enough with appropriate nonsurgical care.
Dr. Peter A. Zahos is a board-certified neurosurgeon with more than 30 years of experience treating spinal and neurological conditions. His background includes leadership roles at Cleveland Clinic Florida, JFK Medical Center, Geisinger Health System, and Jacobi Medical Center.
At Level One Neurosurgery, the decision does not begin with an operation. Dr. Zahos reviews your symptoms, neurological findings, prior treatment, and available imaging before explaining whether continued conservative care, further testing, or surgical decompression may be appropriate.
You can learn more about Level One Neurosurgery and our commitment to precise, evidence-based recommendations.
This short video walks through how a lumbar laminectomy relieves pressure on spinal nerves caused by spinal stenosis. It shows, step by step, how the surgeon removes part of the vertebra (the lamina) to open up space in the spinal canal, an option patients in Paramus, NJ may consider when leg or back pain persists despite nonsurgical care.
Source: Veritas Health
Patients often tell us they value Dr. Zahos’s calm manner, careful explanations, and willingness to answer questions before recommending a treatment plan.
Paramus is home to a substantial older adult population, with more than one in four residents age 65 or older. For someone dealing with lumbar nerve compression, daily limitations may become especially noticeable while walking through large shopping areas, standing during errands, climbing stairs at home, or sitting through a commute that averages more than 30 minutes.
Our Route 17 North office gives Paramus and Bergen County residents a local place to have their symptoms and imaging reviewed by an experienced neurosurgeon. Your visit focuses on whether the findings on an MRI or CT scan actually explain the pain, numbness, weakness, or reduced walking tolerance you are experiencing.
Seeing a spine surgeon in Paramus does not mean you will automatically need an operation. Dr. Zahos follows a conservative-first approach and recommends lumbar decompression only when the clinical findings support it.
A laminectomy creates space around compressed nerves, while fusion is used to stabilize selected areas of the spine. These procedures are not interchangeable. Dr. Zahos may discuss Spinal Fusion Surgery when decompression alone may not adequately address documented instability or a more complex structural problem.
The appropriate lumbar procedure depends on what is causing your symptoms. Lumbar Spine Surgery may involve decompression, laminectomy, microdiscectomy, instrumentation, or reconstruction based on your diagnosis and imaging.
A focused operation may be considered when one area is compressing a nerve. Multilevel narrowing or instability may require a different plan. Dr. Zahos explains what needs to be addressed and why before surgery is recommended.
A laminectomy is not recommended for lower-back pain based on symptoms alone. The examination and imaging must identify nerve compression that corresponds with what you are experiencing.
Lumbar spinal stenosis narrows the space available for nerves in the lower back. It may cause pain, heaviness, numbness, or weakness in the legs, particularly during standing or walking.
Your evaluation for Spinal Stenosis Treatment considers the severity of the narrowing, the affected nerves, your neurological findings, and how much the symptoms interfere with movement and daily activities.
Dr. Zahos reviews MRI, CT, X-ray, and EMG/NCS findings when clinically appropriate. These studies help identify the level and cause of compression and show whether instability or another structural issue must be considered.
When surgery is necessary, the operative approach is selected around your anatomy and diagnosis. Dr. Zahos’s documented capabilities include minimally invasive spine techniques and navigation-guided or robotic-assisted spinal instrumentation. Technology supports clinical judgment rather than replacing it.
Coverage and payment responsibilities vary by insurance plan. Our office can help you review applicable benefits and explain appointment requirements before your evaluation or procedure.
Call (201) 977-1445 if you have questions about using your benefits for a lumbar spine evaluation in Paramus.
