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Pressure on the spinal cord in your neck can interfere with everyday movement and make simple activities harder over time. When additional space is needed around the spinal cord, cervical laminoplasty may be considered as a surgical treatment option.
At Saville Spine, serving Palm Beach County and Martin County, FL, board-certified spine surgeons Dr. Philip Saville and Dr. Jason Meldau provide advanced spine care alongside board-certified pain medicine specialist Dr. Lawrence Gorfine.
Where Does Spinal Cord Compression Occur?
Your spinal cord travels through a passage inside the vertebrae called the spinal canal. The lamina forms part of the back wall of this canal. Conditions such as cervical spinal stenosis, cervical spondylosis, or other degenerative changes can narrow the available space and place pressure on the spinal cord.
When compression becomes significant, you may notice weakness, numbness, balance or walking problems, or difficulty with fine hand movements.
How Does Cervical Laminoplasty Open the Spinal Canal?
During cervical laminoplasty, the surgeon accesses the cervical spine through the back of the neck. A common technique involves creating a hinge on one side of the lamina and carefully opening the other side, similar to opening a door. The surgeon then holds the opened lamina in its new position with small implants.
Opening the lamina expands the spinal canal rather than removing the lamina completely. Saville Spine notes that laminoplasty can increase the spinal canal’s surface area by over 60%.
Why Preserve the Lamina?
Preserving the lamina during cervical laminoplasty can offer several benefits:
- Relieves spinal cord pressure: Creates additional room within the spinal canal.
- Preserves protective bone: Keeps the lamina in place rather than removing it completely.
- Maintains neck motion: Avoiding fusion can help preserve greater cervical movement.
- Supports spinal structure: Retaining the lamina helps maintain the cervical spine’s natural anatomy.
Cervical laminoplasty is not right for everyone. Your spinal alignment, stability, neurological findings, and overall condition help determine if it is appropriate for you.
Find Out If Cervical Laminoplasty Is Right for You
Spinal cord compression deserves careful evaluation, especially when it begins affecting your strength, coordination, or mobility. Saville Spine can assess your condition and explain whether cervical laminoplasty is an appropriate option to create more room around your spinal cord while preserving neck motion.
Call Saville Spine at 561-630-3870 to schedule a consultation in Palm Beach County or Martin County, FL.
