In the cervical spine (neck), narrowing of the canal can cause spinal cord compression and pinched nerves resulting in numbness and weakness of the hands and in some instances difficulty walking. Posterior cervical laminectomy is a procedure that relieves pain and may improve function through the removal of small portions of the bone (lamina) in the back of the neck. Fusion of the spine in the neck is often done at the same time to prevent neck pain and deformity that may develop after laminectomy alone. The process of cervical spine fusion involves creating conditions in the neck to facilitate the bones uniting to become one bone instead of two and involves recycling the patient’s bones, sometimes the use of donated bone, and the use of tiny screws and rods to fixate the bones in the neck.
Information on Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion
- You may be in the hospital for up to 3 days for monitoring.
- Your doctor may ask you to wear a cervical collar for 6 weeks after the procedure.
- One should not drive during the 6-week period while wearing the cervical collar.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Spinal cord injury
- New pain
- Continued pain
- Hardware failure (breakage, loosening of screws)
- Failure of the bones to fuse/unite
Prior to the procedure
- Exercise is encouraged.
- Discontinue blood thinners such as aspirin, Plavix, Motrin, Aleve, Coumadin. Avoid weight loss supplements and fish oil.
- Quitting smoking and/or drinking 6 weeks prior to the procedure is encouraged.
Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion FAQs
Yes. There will be some restriction with neck bending and twisting, but generally patients will still be able to bend their necks and drive. The extent of limitation depends on how many spinal levels are fused.
Yes. The implants used are made of titanium which are safe for use in MRI machines.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
In the cervical spine (neck), narrowing of the canal can cause spinal cord compression and pinched nerves resulting in numbness and weakness of the hands and in some instances difficulty walking. Posterior cervical laminectomy is a procedure that relieves pain and may improve function through the removal of small portions of the bone (lamina) in the back of the neck. Fusion of the spine in the neck is often done at the same time to prevent neck pain and deformity that may develop after laminectomy alone. The process of cervical spine fusion involves creating conditions in the neck to facilitate the bones uniting to become one bone instead of two and involves recycling the patient’s bones, sometimes the use of donated bone, and the use of tiny screws and rods to fixate the bones in the neck.
Information on Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion
- You may be in the hospital for up to 3 days for monitoring.
- Your doctor may ask you to wear a cervical collar for 6 weeks after the procedure.
- One should not drive during the 6-week period while wearing the cervical collar.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Spinal cord injury
- New pain
- Continued pain
- Hardware failure (breakage, loosening of screws)
- Failure of the bones to fuse/unite
Prior to the procedure
- Exercise is encouraged.
- Discontinue blood thinners such as aspirin, Plavix, Motrin, Aleve, Coumadin. Avoid weight loss supplements and fish oil.
- Quitting smoking and/or drinking 6 weeks prior to the procedure is encouraged.
Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion FAQs
Yes. There will be some restriction with neck bending and twisting, but generally patients will still be able to bend their necks and drive. The extent of limitation depends on how many spinal levels are fused.
Yes. The implants used are made of titanium which are safe for use in MRI machines.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
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