Laminectomy Overview

Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion

There are many disorders that may compress the spinal cord and nerve roots. These can include: spinal stenosis, bulging or herniated disc(s), disc degeneration, and osteoarthritis (spondylosis). Certain types of neck, shoulder, upper back, and arm pain and discomfort can be caused by compression or pinching of these neurologic structures. Other neurologic symptoms may include tingling, weakness and numbness in the hands or arms. When the spinal cord is compressed, this can cause injury and dysfunction of the spinal cord termed myelopathy. Patients with cervical myelopathy can experience loss of balance when walking as well as numbness, weakness, and clumsiness of the hands. Cervical myelopathy is a serious condition that requires appropriate treatment. The purpose of posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion is to decompress the spinal cord and nerve root(s), stabilize the neck, diminish symptoms, and help our New York patients to resume their regular daily activities. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about the laminectomy by NYC's spine surgeon, Dr. Stieber.

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Posterior = Back

The incision is made in the back of the neck.

Cervical = Neck

The cervical levels are one region of the spine. There are seven vertebral bodies in the neck and are abbreviated or numbered C1 (top) through C7 (bottom). The disc levels are also abbreviated. For example, C5-C6 refers to the intervertebral disc between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebral bodies (bones).

Laminectomy = To Remove the Lamina

The thin plate of bone at the back of the neck that makes up the roof of the spine and helps to protect the spinal cord is called the lamina. During a laminectomy, the bony plate is removed to allow him access to the spinal cord and other nerve structures.

Fusion = To Join or Combine

Bone graft is added into the empty space between the upper and lower vertebral bodies. Instrumentation (rods and screws) is implanted to stabilize and immobilize the neck. New bone will grow into and around the instrumentation resulting in a spinal fusion, which is caused by the body’s natural healing process.

Signs You Need a Posterior Cervical Laminectomy for Spine Health

On average, most patients with spinal stenosis, cervical degenerative disc problems, or herniation do not require spine surgery. However, Dr. Stieber may recommend posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion in NYC for the following reasons: if non-operative treatment fails to alleviate symptoms, progressive worsening of neurologic symptoms or pain, spinal instability, and/or neurological problems. For example, loss of function, numbness, and weakness are examples of neurologic dysfunction. Difficulty with fine motor movements, loss of manual dexterity, and disruption of balance may signal dangerous spinal cord compression within the spine, which could be signs of myelopathy.

man on a jog

What Are the Types of Bone Graft?

Numerous post-operative x-rays are taken to be sure that the bone graft, screws and rods are properly positioned. The wound is then bandaged and closed.

  • Autograft is the patient’s own bone. Autograft may be recycled bone taken from the patient’s neck during a laminectomy or in a separate procedure where the bone is taken from the patient’s hip.
  • Allograft is donor bone from a bone bank.
  • Bone graft substitute. There are different types, some of which are synthetic (man-made) and available in different shapes.

About Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion

At Dr. Stieber's office in New York, a laminectomy is performed under general anesthesia. To prepare the neck area for surgery, it is cleaned and shaved. The patient must be positioned face down (prone) on the operating table. With a specialized device, the patient’s skull is held securely in position and the neck is immobilized. A special nerve monitoring system also checks the spinal cord and nerve function throughout the procedure to prevent any injury. Fluoroscopy is an x-ray intended to guide instruments in real-time and allows visibility throughout the surgery to see the patient’s anatomy.

An incision is made in the middle of the back of the neck (a midline incision). Muscles and soft tissues are gently reflected from the spine. Specialized instruments are used to carefully remove the lamina and remove tissue and bone compressing the spinal cord and nerve structures. The lamina and other bone removed could be prepared and used for bone graft. The neck is then stabilized with rods, screws and bone graft to ensure fusion and healing happen properly and smoothly.

What Happens After Laminectomy Surgery?

The patient is moved into the recovery area after the surgery. While in recovery, nurses and other members of our NYC medical team closely monitor the patient’s vital signs – blood pressure, pain, respiration and pulse. Some patients receive pain medication either through their IV (intravenous line) or by mouth after the surgery.

  • A post-operative collar or cervical brace is often recommended to wear after surgery to help support and immobilize the neck while healing.
  • Dr. Stieber discusses hospitalization with patients before their surgery date. A typical hospital stay is 2 to 3 days.

Learn More About Dr. Stieber

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Testimonials What Our Patients Are Saying

Thank you for changing my life.

Dr. Stieber! I have no words to thank you enough. Thank you for changing my life. God bless you, your hands and your family. I’m so happy God put you in my way. You are the best surgeon in the world.

R.N.

Gold standard in todays medicine

Dr stieber corrected previous 2 surgeries that did not take. I had a L4-L5 fusion He is professional and listens to the patient feedback. I should have started with him from the get go – gold standard in todays medicine.

R.H.

You certainly changed my life!

I wanted to personally write to you as well as Bethany, Nancy, and Jennifer, to thank you so much. Not to sound overly dramatic but living with that pain for years, then having that surgery end of Nov. and feeling like a new person- you certainly changed my life! I know I’ve said this befor...

J.L.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Thanks to you I can lift my toddler without any issues- thank you from the bottom of my heart.

L.S.

No words can covey how grateful I am

No words can covey how grateful I am for your care and expertise, but I will try. You are not just a world-class surgeon, you are a world-class human being. The level of care and professionalism from you and your staff has placed me on a faster track to recovery than I ever thought possible.

M.G.

Dr Stieber fixed me from extreme pain and has such a great way about him

Dr Stieber fixed me from extreme pain and has such a great way about him. I’ve got nothing but the best to say about him and his team. I am a new person and my recovery was very quick due to his work. After 3 weeks, I was back in the gym doing light workouts. The man is great!

K.A.

The man is a life saver

Dr. Stieber performed a MIS TLIF at L4 / L5 in January 2015. At a year and a half, I am pain free and doing well. The man is a life saver. I have and will continue to recommend him to anyone experiencing back pain.

J.F.

I very highly recommend Dr. Stieber and his entire team

I am a 69 year old male, who up until 5 years ago, walked 3-5 miles per day. Lower back pain became such an issue that I could hardly walk 100 feet before I had to stop. After consulting with 5 different neurosurgeons, with no positive results, Dr. Stieber was referred to me by a friend. I met wi...

J.L.

Dr Stieber changed my life

Dr Stieber changed my life, I went from being in constant pain to no pain at all and from being almost unable to work to working full time. The surgery was surprisingly almost painless and my recovery quick, His staff always was available to speak to me when I had questions or concerns and were v...

M.F.

Dr. Stieber changed my life

I have been in pain for over a decade. I no longer am. Dr. Stieber changed my life.

H.H.

I am so grateful for your help

I am so grateful for your help–I wouldn’t be progressing towards a brighter future otherwise.

A.A.

Thanks for putting me back together.

Thanks for putting me back together.

J.P.

Thank you for working wonders

Thank you for working wonders and giving me my mom back. I cannot thank you enough.

M.K.

You operated on my spine and enabled me to walk again

You operated on my spine and enabled me to walk again — which is no small thing. I want you to know that even though a year has passed (88 in my case). I will remember you not only as a fine surgeon but as an impeccable dresser and a real nice guy.

J.R.

This is to express my sincere gratitude to you.

This is to express my sincere gratitude to you. May the good Lord richly bless you for the wonderful thing you have done for me. May you live long so that you help others as well.

R.Z.

Your extraordinary skill as a spine surgeon

From your ability to communicate complicated MRI images and medical jargon in a way that made perfect sense to me, to your honesty and candid demeanor, to your ability to empathize, and obviously your extraordinary skill as a spine surgeon…

C.B.

I thank God and you

This time last year I was in so much pain I could not enjoy the holidays with my family. You have changed that for me this year. Thank you is not enough. When I walk down the street and I realize I have walked more than two blocks without pain, I thank God and you, I feel great, you are the BEST!...

T.J.

I thank you with all my heart

I thank you with all my heart and my family’s too. If it wasn’t for your wonderful gift of your hands I would not be walking today.

D.H.

Now I can begin to live again

You identified my condition, arrived at a solution… and most importantly repaired my lower spine. Every morning when I arise pain free, know that I am so very grateful to you and your skillful hands. Thank you for restoring my health. Now I can begin to live again.

A.C.

It has changed my life

I have been sciatica free for almost 7 months. I can stand without having to sit right away. It has changed my life.

J.H.

You all have demonstrated the true meaning of PATIENT CARE.

I would like to take this time to truly thank you for the hard work and dedication in helping me reach some semblance of normalcy. No words can express how grateful I am. You all have demonstrated the true meaning of PATIENT CARE.

T.T.

Dr. Stieber and his entire staff are the best.

Dr. Stieber and his entire staff are the best. From scheduling, appointments, surgery and post op, they are top notch. Doctor Stieber is a very smart and a highly skilled surgeon.

N.

I’m living a new life after the surgery.

I’m living a new life after the surgery. The whole team was impressive. Very responsive, clear and supportive.

E.R.

Always trust a surgeon with great hair.

Incredible team from the desk, techs, PA to the magical hands of the surgeon. Always trust a surgeon with great hair.

J.G.

That was on the mark!

Dr Stieber performed a discectomy on a Tuesday. I was able to go back to the office the next day. i was told the pain would be reduced at least 95%. That was on the mark!

L.P.

For all of this I am truly grateful to you.

The manner in which you diagnosed my orthopedic problem compelled to write to you. When I came to your office on 11/19/20 after an exhaustive search for an accurate diagnosis, I had previously received three contradictory evaluations and various treatments and yet continued to experience progress...

Anonymous

I wanted to reach out to express my thanks to you for the past few years.

I wanted to reach out to express my thanks to you for the past few years. You performed an L5-S1 decompression and revision on me in 2019 and 2021, when I was in medical school.

I was able to successfully complete my training, and am slated to begin neurosurgery residency at the Cleveland ...

Anonymous

Thank you for taking great care of me!

Anonymous

My deepest gratitude for everything

My deepest gratitude for everything you did to ensure I received the surgery needed, as quickly as possible; and by the best in the business.

S

How grateful I am to you for giving my life back

Thank you just doesn't seem to express how grateful I am to you for giving me my life back. 

What Should I Do for Aftercare at Home?

Dr. Stieber provides his patients with information about what to expect and self-care after hospital discharge. This information includes instructions to manage your diet and constipation, control pain, medications, brace/collar/halo care, how to properly bathe and clean the incision, and any activity restrictions. Dr. Stieber prides himself in delivering among the top laminectomy in New York, and as always, he and his staff are happy to answer any questions and ensure that all patient considerations are thoroughly addressed.

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Why Choose Dr. Stieber for Your Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion?

Dr. Jonathan Stieber is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon in NYC, known for delivering life-changing results for his patients. He is dedicated to improving each patient's quality of life, enhancing their mobility, and providing peace of mind. Dr. Stieber serves as an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the prestigious NYU School of Medicine and is the Director of the renowned Spine Center at OrthoManhattan. Recognized for his excellence, he was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 2022 and a New York Magazine Best Doctor for 2021.

Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion (PCLF)?

A PCLF is a surgical procedure performed to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord and nerves in the cervical spine by removing the lamina and fusing the affected vertebrae. If your spine is misaligned or unstable, the alignment and stability will also be corrected and addressed with this procedure.

What conditions may necessitate a PCLF?

Conditions such as cervical spinal stenosis, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal tumors may require a PCLF to decompress the spinal cord and stabilize the cervical spine.

What does the recovery process entail after a PCLF?

Recovery after a PCLF involves a period of rest, physical therapy, and gradual resumption of daily activities. Our team will provide comprehensive postoperative care instructions to support your healing process.

What are the potential risks and complications associated with PCLF?

Potential risks and complications of PCLF may include infection, blood clots, nerve injury, and failure of fusion. Our surgical team takes proactive measures to minimize these risks and ensure a successful outcome.

How long does it take to return to normal activities after a PCLF?

Each individual's timeline for returning to normal activities after a PCLF varies. Our team will guide you through a personalized rehabilitation plan to facilitate a safe and effective recovery.

What are the long-term benefits of PCLF?

The long-term benefits of PCLF may include reduced neck and arm pain, improved spinal stability, and prevention of further neurological deterioration.

What is the success rate of PCLF in relieving symptoms?

PCLF has a high success rate in relieving symptoms associated with cervical spinal cord compression, with many patients experiencing significant improvement in pain and function.

How can I determine if I am a candidate for PCLF?

Our experienced spine specialists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, including diagnostic imaging and a thorough medical history, to determine if PCLF is the most suitable treatment option for your condition.

What sets Dr. Stieber MD apart in performing PCLF procedures?

Dr. Stieber’s expertise and commitment to patient care ensure that PCLF procedures are meticulously tailored to each patient's unique needs, focusing on achieving optimal outcomes and restoring spinal function.

How can I take the first step towards a PCLF consultation?

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward effective relief, restoration of spinal health, and personalized care tailored to your unique needs under Dr. Stieber's expert guidance.

Schedule a Consultation And Get The Pain-Free Lifestyle You Deserve

NYC spine surgery specialist, Dr. Jonathan Stieber, provides his patients with the most effective treatment options available, all of which are tailored to meet your individual needs. With Dr. Stieber guiding your care, it is possible to say goodbye to pain and enjoy an active lifestyle once again.

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