A laminectomy is done to relieve back pain from spinal stenosis – a condition in which the spinal canal narrows usually due to arthritis.  As the spinal canal shrinks, it can pinch nerves causing back pain.  In this surgery, a cut is made in the back and parts of bone and ligaments that are pressing on the spinal nerves is removed. 

There may be large differences in the cost of this surgery because more surgical centers provide this treatment which usually is done in an outpatient center and the patient returns home the same day. 

Many patients treat back pain without surgery.  Treatments include physical therapy, yoga, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and exercise.  If non-surgical options are unsuccessful, another surgery option is a laminotomy which is similar to laminectomy but a smaller cut is made in the back.

These are 2023 prices.  Use the link below to see if you can get a current, personalized cost estimate from your health insurer.