Laminoplasty at DRHC Dubai Spine Clinic

Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure that treats spinal stenosis by relieving pressure on the spinal cord. The main purpose of this procedure is to provide relief to patients who may have symptoms of numbness, pain, or weakness in arm movement.

The procedure involves repositioning a bony vertebra called the lamina and holding it with a metal plate and screws. It can help prevent further worsening of symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, and balance problems.

Laminoplasty is used to decompress the upper part of your spinal cord that runs through your neck. Compression of this part of your spinal cord can lead to cervical myelopathy. Cervical myelopathy can cause symptoms such as numbness or tingling in your limbs, pain and stiffness in your neck, limb weakness, balance problems, clumsiness, and poor hand/finger coordination.

There are two main procedures for laminoplasty:

• Open-door laminoplasty: This procedure involves creating a hinge on one side of the lamina (the roof of the spinal canal) and opening it like a door. This creates more space for the spinal cord and nerves. The opened lamina is then secured with plates and screws or a bone graft.

• French-door laminoplasty: This procedure involves cutting the lamina down the middle and separating the two halves. The halves are then spread apart to create more space for the spinal cord and nerves. Spacers or bone grafts are used to hold the halves open, and they may be secured with plates and screws.

Spinal cord compression can occur due to conditions:

• arthritis,
• bone spurs,
• fracture,
• herniated disc,
• and general wear and tear.

A Spine Specialist may recommend laminoplasty if nonsurgical treatment options have failed to relieve your symptoms.

Laminoplasty is a common procedure, especially to manage conditions that affect your cervical spine (neck bones), like cervical myelopathy or stenosis.