Laminectomy (Cervical) with Fusion
At Axis Brian & Back Institute, we understand and can help the pain that you are going through. We specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery which is specially constructed to treat spine conditions with a lower infection risk and shorter recovery times than more traditional open back and open neck surgeries. Our patients will attest that we have helped provide solutions after years of chronic pain that took away their ability to perform even basic functions every day.
About Laminectomy (Cervical) with Fusion
After anesthesia is administered, the surgeon creates a small incision to expose the vertebrae. The surgeon uses a high-speed burr to cut a rectangular trough of bone from the vertebrae. The surgeon then carefully removes the bone from the rear of the vertebrae, opening up the spinal canal and relieving pressure from the spinal cord and nerve roots.
The surgeon inspects the spinal canal and foramen – the openings through which the nerve roots exit the spinal canal. Any bone spurs behind the spinal cord and nerve roots are cleared away.
Once all problem areas have been corrected, the surgeon creates a fusion to stabilize the cervical spine. The surgeon places screws in the vertebrae, and a burr is used to decorticate the joints. Rods are placed through the screws in the vertebrae, locking the spine in a natural position. In some cases, bone graft may be placed in the facet joints to promote the growth of bone that will complete the fusion.
After the spine is stabilized, the incision is closed. Drains may be inserted in the wound to prevent fluid buildup. The patient may require a cervical collar for a brief period after the procedure.
Frequent Symptoms Helped by Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Though herniated discs and degenerative disc disease cause symptoms which can change depending on the severity of the condition, there are some general symptoms that often see relief from this procedure.
– Numbness and tingling – Often, patients are experiencing numbness or tingling in the arm and fingers due to the impacted nerve in the neck. This could be similar to what it feels like to lose circulation to the arm.
– Arm pain – The nerve which is affected by the damaged disc often leads to a shooting pain in one arm. This pain can travel all the way from the shoulder down through the fingers. Often, this is accompanied by a pain in the neck along with the radiating pain the arm.
– Weakness – It is possible that the affected nerve is not able to signal the muscles in the arm the way it normally would, causing a general feeling of weakness.
If you are experiencing chronic neck pain and/or any of the symptoms listed above, contact our team at Axis Brain & Back Institute and get [email protected] You don’t have to miss out on life’s greatest moments because of pain. Schedule your free MRI review today!