Degenerative narrowing of the canal compresses the spinal cord or the nerve roots and, in the lower back, causes the typical walking claudication.
Frequently asked questionsThe posterior arch is repositioned to give the spinal cord room without removing it.
In multilevel cervical stenosis, the posterior arch is opened like a door and fixed a few millimetres away from the spinal cord. It is as effective as laminectomy and far less destabilising.
No. The posterior arch is opened like a door and fixed a few millimetres away from the spinal cord, so room is gained while the bone stays in place.
No: it achieves the same decompression of the spinal cord as laminectomy and is far less destabilising, precisely because the arch is not removed. That is the reason for choosing it when several levels are affected and the cervical curve is preserved.
Its indication is cervical myelopathy — suffering of the spinal cord itself — caused by multilevel stenosis, with one condition: that the cervical curve is preserved. If the neck has lost its curve, the approach changes and has to be assessed differently.
The information on this page is for guidance only and does not replace a personalised medical assessment. Whether any technique is indicated depends on each patient's examination and scans.
I review your scans and tell you frankly which option makes sense, including not operating.