If you’ve been diagnosed with spinal cord compression in the neck (also called cervical myelopathy), you may believe that spinal fusion is the only surgical option. However, for certain cases, a procedure called posterior cervical laminoplasty offers an alternative that can relieve pressure on the spinal cord while preserving motion. Dr. Todd J. Albert, a board-certified spine surgeon in New York City, performs laminoplasty for patients with multilevel compression who want to avoid the limitations of fusion surgery.
What Is Laminoplasty?
Laminoplasty is a motion-preserving procedure that creates more space for the spinal cord in the cervical spine (neck). It involves reshaping and repositioning the lamina, AKA the back part of the spinal canal, to relieve compression. Rather than removing these bones entirely (a procedure called a laminectomy), Dr. Albert gently lifts and opens the lamina on one side, creating a “door” to expand the spinal canal. Small plates or bone wedges are then used to hold the door open, maintaining the space permanently.
Who Benefits from Laminoplasty?
Laminoplasty is usually recommended for patients with multilevel cervical spinal stenosis, which describes when the spinal canal is narrowed at several levels due to arthritis, thickened ligaments, or bone spurs. Unlike fusion surgery, which eliminates motion at the treated levels, laminoplasty preserves the natural movement of the neck. This can be especially beneficial for patients who have maintained good spinal alignment and want to retain as much mobility as possible.
Why Choose Laminoplasty Over Fusion?
Fusion involves removing parts of the spine and using bone grafts and hardware to permanently stabilize the neck. While effective, fusion restricts motion and may place additional stress on nearby spinal segments over time. Laminoplasty avoids this by preserving bone and flexibility. The procedure has a shorter recovery time in some cases, and there’s no need for a bone graft.
However, not all patients are candidates. If there is spinal instability, severe misalignment, or involvement of only one or two levels, fusion may still be the preferred option.
Explore Your Surgical Options
If you’ve been told you need spine surgery for cervical myelopathy or multilevel stenosis, it’s worth learning whether laminoplasty is appropriate for your condition. Dr. Albert has been named a “National Top Spine Surgeon” by the National Spine Health Foundation. Contact Dr. Todd J. Albert’s office in New York City at 212-606-1004 to schedule a consultation and find out how motion-preserving surgery might benefit you.
