Cervical laminoplasty is a motion-sparing procedure that relieves pressure on the spinal cord by reshaping and repositioning the vertebral bone (laminae) to expand the spinal canal — without fusing the vertebrae together. It is an excellent option for patients with multilevel cervical myelopathy who want to preserve neck motion and avoid a fusion.
What Is Cervical Laminoplasty?
In cervical myelopathy, the spinal cord is compressed across multiple levels of the neck by a combination of bone spurs, thickened ligament, and disc bulging. While posterior cervical fusion decompresses the cord and stabilizes the spine with screws and rods, laminoplasty achieves the decompression while leaving the spine mobile — making it a valuable alternative for the right patient.
During laminoplasty, Dr. Chavarria approaches the spine from the back of the neck and creates a hinge on one side of each lamina while making a small opening on the other side. The laminae are then gently swung open like a door, and small spacers or plates hold them in the expanded position. This enlarges the spinal canal and relieves pressure on the cord across all the involved levels — typically three to five levels in a single procedure — without removing the bone entirely or placing a rigid fusion construct.
Because laminoplasty preserves the posterior bony elements and avoids fusion, it maintains more of the natural motion of the cervical spine and avoids the long-term stress on adjacent levels that can follow a fusion. It is particularly well-suited to patients with multilevel myelopathy, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), and a relatively well-preserved cervical alignment.
Are You a Candidate?
- Patients with multilevel cervical myelopathy (spinal cord compression across three or more levels)
- Patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) causing cord compression
- Patients with a congenitally narrow cervical canal and multilevel stenosis
- Patients who want to preserve cervical motion and avoid a multilevel fusion
- Patients with preserved cervical lordosis (the normal curve of the neck) — laminoplasty is less suitable for those with significant kyphotic deformity
- Patients without significant mechanical neck pain or instability that would favor fusion instead
What to Expect
Pre-operative: MRI defines the levels and severity of cord compression, including any signal change within the cord. CT assesses the bony anatomy and cervical alignment to confirm candidacy. A detailed neurological examination is documented.
Day of surgery: The procedure is performed under general anesthesia with spinal cord neuromonitoring throughout. Surgery takes 2–3 hours. An incision is made at the back of the neck. A 1–2 night hospital stay is typical.
First 4 weeks: A soft cervical collar may be used for comfort. Early gentle range-of-motion and walking are encouraged. Neck stiffness and soreness are common in the first few weeks. Improvement in myelopathic symptoms (hand coordination, gait, strength) is often gradual.
3–12 months: Physical therapy focuses on restoring cervical range of motion and strength to minimize post-operative stiffness. Neurological recovery can continue for 12–18 months depending on how long and how severely the cord was compressed before surgery.
Why Choose Dr. Chavarria for Your Cervical Laminoplasty in Reno?
- Decompresses the spinal cord across multiple levels in a single procedure
- Preserves cervical motion — no fusion required
- Avoids the adjacent-segment stress associated with multilevel fusion
- Lower risk of certain anterior approach complications (swallowing, voice changes)
- Spinal cord neuromonitoring throughout surgery for real-time safety
- Particularly effective for OPLL and congenitally narrow canals