Cervical Laminectomy - The Procedure and Recovery

1. Clinical Secretary: +44 785 0211939www.mehtaspine.co.uk Email:info@mehtaspine.co.uk

2. Cervical Laminectomy – The Procedure and Recovery • Spine in the neck i.e. cervical spine consists of seven bones called vertebrae. Soft cartilage disc called intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae to provide a cushion and reduce the stress. The spinal cord passes through the vertebral canal formed by these cervical vertebrae. • Over time problems like shrinking or herniated disc, bone spurs or any other degenerative disc conditions can narrow the vertebral canal putting pressure on the spinal cord or its branch nerves. This spinal cord compression can cause further damage to the spinal tissues inducing pain, numbness, and weakness in legs, arms or other body parts making it difficult to carry out normal functions.  This condition is called cervical spinal stenosis.

3. What is Cervical Laminectomy? • Cervical Laminectomy is the surgical procedure that is performed by a spine surgeon to relieve pressure on the spinal cord caused by cervical spinal stenosis. As the name suggests cervical i.e. relating to the neck and laminectomy i.e. removal of the lamina, the bone that encloses the spinal cord in the vertebral canal. • Cervical Laminectomy is performed by the spine specialist only after the non-surgical treatment procedures like pain medication and physical therapy do not provide adequate relief from the pain.

4. How is Cervical Laminectomy performed? • Under general anaesthesia, a 3 to 4-inch incision is made vertically along the mid-line of the neck. The spinal surgeon then cuts the affected lamina/laminas on both sides and the lamina is removed along with the spinous process. In a few cases, cervical spinal fusion where the vertebrae are fused into a single unit with bone graft, rods and screws may be performed to stabilize the spine. • A neck brace is suggested for the patients after the surgery. The post-surgical neck pain is controlled with both oral and intravenous pain medications. Patients are discharged after the surgery within 2 to 3 days from the facility.

5. How much time it will take to recover from Cervical Laminectomy? • The severity of the condition before the surgery is the major factor affecting the recovery after the Cervical Laminectomy. Age, general health and overall lifestyle also play a part in the pace of recovery after any surgery. • Moreover, the neck is a complex body part which facilitates the movement and bears the weight of the head. It becomes very difficult to give it a rest after the surgery unlike an arm or a leg and it is not possible to exactly calculate the recovery time as it depends on many other external factors. However, your spinal surgeon is well aware of your condition can help you chart a plan to improve the pace of the recovery. • Got more queries on Cervical Laminectomy in the UK? Looking for the Spinal Specialist in the UK to help you with the neck pain?  You can contact Dr. Jwalant S Mehta

6. Contact us • Royal Orthopaedic Hospital • BMI The Priory Hospital • Spire Parkway Hospital • Bromsgrove Private Clinic

7. Contact and Connect • Clinical secretary: SamanthaLeavy +44 785 021 1939 • Medico-legal secretary: JanClarke +44 121 4508928 • Spire Parkway Hospital:0121 704 5500 • BMI NEC (National Enquiry Centre): 0808 101 0337 • Email: info@mehtaspine.co.uk • The appointments are booked through the clinic