Living with chronic neck or back pain caused by spinal nerve compression can be physically and emotionally exhausting. For patients who have not found relief through conservative care, spinal decompression surgery may be a safe and effective way to regain mobility, reduce pain, and restore normal function. If you’re searching for expert care, a spine specialist at Nadora Healthcare can help you explore whether this surgical option is right for your condition.
Nadora Healthcare is home to two exceptional spine surgeons: Dr. Scott Dhupar, a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, and Dr. K. Soraya Heidari, a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon. Together, they provide personalized, high-quality care using both non-surgical and advanced surgical techniques—including spinal decompression procedures—to meet each patient’s unique needs.
What Is Spinal Decompression Surgery?
Spinal decompression surgery is a procedure designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves that has developed due to narrowing within the spinal canal or foramina (the spaces through which nerves exit the spine). Compression can be caused by:
- Herniated discs
- Bone spurs from osteoarthritis
- Thickened ligaments
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
The goal of decompression surgery is to remove the structure(s) causing pressure—whether disc material, bone, or ligament—thus restoring normal nerve function and reducing pain and weakness.
Who Needs Spinal Decompression?
Patients who are candidates for spinal decompression surgery typically have been diagnosed with a condition that compresses the spinal nerves or spinal cord, and have not achieved adequate relief through conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or injections.
Symptoms that may lead a spine specialist to recommend decompression surgery include:
- Radiating arm or leg pain (sciatica or cervical radiculopathy)
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs
- Difficulty walking or balancing
- Severe back or neck pain
- Loss of bladder or bowel control in emergency situations (e.g., cauda equina syndrome)
Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention can prevent long-term nerve damage and improve function.
Surgical Options Offered by a Spine Specialist at Nadora Healthcare
The specific type of decompression surgery performed depends on the location and severity of nerve compression. At Nadora Healthcare, Dr. Dhupar and Dr. Heidari offer a range of spinal decompression procedures, including:
- Laminectomy – Removal of the lamina (the back part of a vertebra) to widen the spinal canal
- Laminotomy – Partial removal of the lamina to decompress a specific nerve root
- Discectomy – Removal of herniated disc material pressing on a nerve
- Foraminotomy – Enlargement of the foramen (nerve exit pathway) to relieve nerve impingement
- Corpectomy – Removal of a vertebral body and adjacent discs to decompress the spinal cord (typically in the cervical spine)
Whenever possible, these procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques to reduce surgical trauma, speed up recovery, and improve outcomes.
What to Expect from the Procedure
Most decompression surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. The surgery may take between 1–3 hours depending on complexity. After surgery:
- Patients may stay in the hospital for a day or two
- Walking is usually encouraged within 24 hours
- Light activity is resumed within a few weeks
- Full recovery may take several months, especially if spinal fusion is combined with decompression
At Nadora Healthcare, post-operative care is carefully planned and supported, with regular follow-up to ensure safe healing and optimal recovery.
Why Choose a Spine Specialist at Nadora Healthcare?
Nadora Healthcare is proud to be recognized as Colorado’s only Spine Center of Excellence, offering:
- Board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeons
- Personalized care plans tailored to your diagnosis and lifestyle
- Minimally invasive surgical options that promote faster recovery
- Comprehensive diagnostics and conservative care when appropriate
- A commitment to excellence and patient-centered outcomes
When you choose a spine specialist at Nadora Healthcare, you’re choosing surgical precision, compassionate care, and a long-term partner in your spinal health.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
If you’ve been living with back or neck pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments, it may be time to consider spinal decompression surgery. Contact Nadora Healthcare today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Scott Dhupar or Dr. K. Soraya Heidari, and discover how the right surgical plan can help you move forward with less pain and greater confidence.
