Is a cervical laminectomy a major surgery?
A cervical laminectomy can take1 to 3 hours to perform. It is a major spine surgery in a sensitive location on the backbone. It is usually performed only when symptoms are not relieved with non-invasive therapies such as: rest.
How long is recovery from cervical laminectomy?
Recovery from a posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion surgery takes 8-12 weeks for the bones to heal, but patients continue to heal for up to a year after surgery.
Can a laminectomy be done anteriorly?
The anterior technique is often favored when multiple spinal levels are being fused and multiple discs need to be removed. ALIF may be performed in conjunction with or without a posterior decompression (laminectomy) and/or instrumentation (use of metal screws/rods).
How painful is a cervical laminectomy?
You had a cervical laminectomy to relieve pressure on your spinal cord and/or the nerves in your neck. Your neck will probably feel stiff or sore. This should improve in the weeks after surgery. You may need pain medicine for a short time.
What is the success rate of a cervical laminectomy?
Overall, 80-90% of patients will obtain a significant benefit from surgery, and this is usually maintained in the long term. Generally, the symptom that improves the most reliably after surgery is arm pain. Neck pain and headaches may or may not improve (very occasionally they can be worse).
Why would you need a cervical laminectomy?
Laminectomy is usually done for back or neck pain that continues after medical treatment. Or it is done when the pain is accompanied by symptoms of nerve damage, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. Loss of bowel or bladder control from pressure in the cervical or lumbar spine also usually needs surgery.
What can you not do after cervical laminectomy?
You may not drive while taking strong pain medication. House work and grocery shopping should not be done without assistance immediately after surgery. Limit your pushing and pulling activities such as vacuuming, sweeping, mowing, and mopping floors for at least six weeks.
How many hours does a laminectomy surgery take?
A laminectomy is a procedure which involves removing bone of the vertebrae to allow for more space for the nerves. It relieves pressure on the nerves and decreases symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain and weakness. Surgery will last approximately 2 to 3 hours. You will be in the hospital approximately 3 days.
What is the difference between laminectomy and fusion?
Lumbar laminectomy is a surgical procedure to remove bony pressure on the spinal canal and spinal nerves to relieve buttock, hip, and leg pain. Occasionally disc material needs to be removed. If there is instability of your spine you may require a posterior fusion of the spine.
Can a laminectomy be done without a fusion?
If your University Spine Center physician recommends laminectomy without fusion, he or she can explain to you how the procedure will be done. In most cases, only a small amount of bone is removed. It is not always necessary to have spinal fusion with laminectomy.
How successful is cervical laminectomy surgery?
Does cervical laminectomy require fusion?
Cervical Spinal Fusion Surgery Cervical laminectomies are sometimes done with a cervical fusion surgery. If a posterior laminectomy is done without a cervical fusion surgery, there is a post-operative risk of developing instability that may lead to pain and deformity.