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Cervical
Laminaplasty
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| Symptoms |
Cervical
spinal canal can be narrowed by the formation of bone
spurs, arising from the back of the vertebral body or
the ligament behind the vertebral bodies. Traditional
symptoms include neck pain, shoulder pain, pins and needles,
numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms and hands.
More severe symptoms can include loss of balance, stumbling,
and a loss of bowel and bladder control. |
| Treatment |
When
the spinal cord is compressed, it is important to relieve
the pressure to prevent spinal cord damage. A cervical
laminaplasty is a posterior (from the back) procedure,
where the back of the vertebra is cut relieve pressure
on the spinal cord.
In this procedure, a groove is made on one
side of the vertebrae creating a "hinge". The other
side of the vertebrae is cut all the way through. The tips of
the spinous processes are removed to create room for the bones
to pull open like a door. The back of each vertebrae is bent
open like a door on its hinge, taking pressure off the spinal
cord and nerve roots. Small wedges made of bone are placed in
the opened space of the door. Click
on the projection below to watch an animation of the surgery,
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| Recovery |
In
most cases patients stay in the hospital for 24 hours,
and generally do not need a cervical collar. Most patients
will notice immediate improvement of their symptoms,
however some symptoms may improve gradually. A positive
attitude, reasonable expectations contribute to a satisfactory
outcome. Most patients discontinue pain medication
and resume their regular activities within a few weeks.
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Related links:
Animation and explanation
of the cervical spine
Cervical cases perfomed by Dr. Robert Pashman
Neck FAQ's
NeckPainExplained.com
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