Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion

Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion

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

Patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic cervical stenosis (neck and arm pain and gait imbalance) may be candidates for this procedure.
Under general anesthesia, the back of the neck would be exposed and tiny portions of the spine called lamina are removed, thereby relieving pressure from the spinal cord. Your doctor may also expand the channels where the nerves leave the spinal cord (foramina) to relieve arm pain. If fusion is indicated, your doctor may place small screws in the bones in the neck and fixate them using tiny rods. Additionally, the doctor would place recycled bone and/or donated bone around the screws to promote healing of the neck bones.
  • 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.
As with any procedure, there are always risks involved. In this procedure the risks are:

  • 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

Will I still be able to bend my neck or drive?2022-03-04T18:30:09+00:00

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.

Will I be able to have an MRI?2022-03-04T18:31:32+00:00

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

Patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic cervical stenosis (neck and arm pain and gait imbalance) may be candidates for this procedure.
Under general anesthesia, the back of the neck would be exposed and tiny portions of the spine called lamina are removed, thereby relieving pressure from the spinal cord. Your doctor may also expand the channels where the nerves leave the spinal cord (foramina) to relieve arm pain. If fusion is indicated, your doctor may place small screws in the bones in the neck and fixate them using tiny rods. Additionally, the doctor would place recycled bone and/or donated bone around the screws to promote healing of the neck bones.
  • 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.
As with any procedure, there are always risks involved. In this procedure the risks are:

  • 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

Will I still be able to bend my neck or drive?2022-03-04T18:30:09+00:00

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.

Will I be able to have an MRI?2022-03-04T18:31:32+00:00

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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