Is Cervical Laminectomy Different Than Foraminotomy?

Cervical Laminectomy
Cervical Laminectomy is a surgical treatment specifically designed to remove pressure on the spinal cord and nerves by slightly widening the spinal canal. Cervical Laminectomy is an excellent minimally invasive spine surgery. As a result, the patient’s spinal condition, i.e., spinal stenosis, is treated. The spinal surgery helps dramatically to relieve pressure on nerve roots.

Who Needs Cervical Laminectomy?
Cervical Laminectomy is performed on special patients who have developed cervical spinal stenosis. This may be caused by a number of degenerative spinal conditions, like wear and tear of the ligaments, bones, and discs.

The narrowing of the spinal canal brings with it several unpleasant symptoms, hindering the potential of the patient.

Before surgery is prescribed, nonoperative measures like physical therapy and pain medications are tried. However, when traditional management haven’t resolved the pain, experts may recommend Cervical Laminectomy.

Symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease include:

• Neck pain or stiffness.
• Clumsiness or problems with balancing.
• Pain that radiates to and from the shoulders and arms.
• Numbness or tingling in the arms.
• Weakness in the shoulders, arms, hands, or legs.

 

How is Cervical Laminectomy Performed?
The procedure is prescribed by our New Jersey Spine Specialists after a complete medical checkup, including spine health and condition, along with a detailed study of the patient’s medical history. Many factors are considered by the specialist before the procedure is prescribed. These factors include:

• Age.
• The lifestyle of the patient.
• Health condition.
• Anticipated levels of activity after the surgery.

 

The procedure is initiated by the spine surgeon by making a small incision at the back of the neck of the patient.

This allows the surgeon to reach the back of the cervical spine. The surgeon then removes the lamina. Removing the lamina eliminates the pressure on the spinal cord. The “top” of the spinal canal is left open; the lamina does not need to be replaced by a plate or bone graft.

If the expert deems it necessary, pressure on the spinal nerves can be further relieved with a procedure called a foraminotomy. In this procedure, the surgeon removes some bone material from the joint (called a facet joint) that is compressing the nerve, relieving pressure from the pinched nerve. A foraminotomy is often carried out at the same time as a laminectomy.

After a laminectomy, the surgeon may also perform a spinal fusion to ensure the spinal column is stable. During a spinal fusion, the surgeon installs a bone graft to join two or more affected vertebrae together into a single unit. In special cases, the surgeon may use instruments such as a metal plate and screws to keep the bones in place during the healing process.

Working layer by layer, the surgeon will finally close the incision using special absorbable sutures (sutures that dissolve in the body and do not need to be physically removed).

For excellent and most comprehensive cervical spine surgery in NJ, call CMW today!