Treatments | Surgical Procedures | Cervical/Neck Surgery

Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion

A cervical laminectomy is used to treat spinal stenosis and involves decompressing the spinal cord and nerves by removing the lamina. Spinal stenosis is a condition in which there is a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. The surgery is needed if you are having pain, numbness, weakness or balance problems (myelopathy) that have not improved with conservative care or are getting worse. The term myelopathy is often used when a person’s balance and coordination is affected due to the injured spinal cord.

The surgery begins with an incision along the midline at the back of the neck. After the spine is exposed, the surgeon will remove whatever bone (lamina and facet) is causing pressure on your nerves. After the nerves are free, a bone graft is placed between the joints to help fuse the spinal segments together. Often screws and rods are inserted to help stabilize the spine while the bones heal.