Advanced Surgical Treatment for Spinal Stenosis by Dr. Rajesh Bindal
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition caused by narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back, often due to arthritis, bone spurs, thickened ligaments, or bulging discs. This narrowing places pressure on the spinal nerves, leading to symptoms like back pain, leg pain, numbness, and reduced mobility.
At Texas Spine & Neurosurgery in Sugar Land, TX, Dr. Rajesh Bindal, a board-certified neurosurgeon, specializes in minimally invasive lumbar decompression laminectomy, a proven surgical solution for relieving nerve compression while preserving spinal stability and promoting faster recovery.
What Are the Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Symptoms may include:
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica or radiculopathy (pain radiating down one or both legs)
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
- Neurogenic claudication – pain, cramping, or heaviness in the legs that worsens with standing or walking and improves with sitting or bending forward
- Stooped posture or difficulty walking upright
Many patients report leaning forward on a shopping cart to walk more comfortably—a classic sign of spinal stenosis. Diagnosis is confirmed with MRI imaging.
What Is Minimally Invasive Lumbar Laminectomy?
A laminectomy involves removing a portion of bone (the lamina) and thickened tissue compressing the spinal nerves. Dr. Bindal uses a minimally invasive approach, which allows this decompression through a small incision and muscle-sparing technique.
Surgical Technique:
- Patients are positioned face-down on the operating table.
- A small incision is made to one side of the spine at the affected level.
- Sequential dilators are used to gently split the muscle instead of cutting it.
- A retractor is placed, and a surgical microscope is used for precision.
- The lamina, bone spurs, and thickened ligaments are removed to decompress the nerves.
- The table may be adjusted to allow decompression on both sides from a single incision.
This technique is often used to treat multiple levels of stenosis while preserving the spine’s structural integrity and avoiding fusion.
Advantages of Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression
Compared to traditional open surgery, minimally invasive laminectomy offers:
- Smaller incisions and minimal muscle disruption
- Reduced postoperative pain
- Less blood loss and quicker wound healing
- Faster return to normal activities
- Lower risk of spinal destabilization, even in patients with mild spondylolisthesis
- Avoidance of spinal fusion in selected patients
Is Minimally Invasive Laminectomy Right for You?
Not all patients are candidates. Conditions such as:
- Severe spinal deformities
- Significant scar tissue from prior surgeries
- Excess obesity
may require a traditional open approach. During your consultation, Dr. Bindal will thoroughly review your imaging, symptoms, and health status to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Recovery After Lumbar Laminectomy
- Patients begin walking the same day of surgery
- Most are discharged within 24 hours, even after multilevel procedures
- Pain medication use decreases significantly by two weeks post-op
- Many patients report improved posture, walking ability, and reduced leg pain shortly after surgery
Schedule Your Consultation for Lumbar Stenosis in Sugar Land, TX
If you’re living with symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rajesh Bindal to learn whether minimally invasive lumbar decompression is right for you.
Call Texas Spine & Neurosurgery at 281-313-0031 to book your consultation in Sugar Land, TX.