POSTERIOR CERVICAL DECOMPRESSIVE LAMINECTOMY or POSTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY

You have been diagnosed with cervical spine stenosis or a herniated disc, conditions that pinch the nerves. The surgical procedure you have chosen to undergo is called Decompression Laminectomy and/or Discectomy, which will require anesthesia and you will normally go home the same day as the procedure or the next morning. Time away from work depends on the type of work you do. The purpose of surgery is to relieve the pain that radiates from your neck into your shoulders and arms.

Dr. Gill will make an incision about 2 inches in the midline of the neck. The surgery is done under general anesthesia and takes 1 – 1 1/2 hours.

When you are discharged from the hospital, you will have - in most cases - absorbable sutures in your incision. See the WOUND CARE information sheet.

You may turn your head from side to side after surgery with the limiting factor being pain and/or stiffness. Limit carrying objects to less than 10 pounds for 4 – 6 weeks after surgery. Your doctor will then determine how you can progress your activity at your follow up visit. You may have muscle spasms in your neck, shoulders, or arms after surgery. Should you experience any sharp, stabbing, burning or shooting pain in these areas please notify our office as you may need a prescription for additional medication. This type of pain occurs both before and after surgery and is caused from nerve compression and irritation. Occasionally pain occurs in the opposite arm that had no symptoms before surgery. There is some swelling inside the surgical site that can cause temporary irritation to the nerves. Be sure to ice your neck for 20 – 30 minutes 2 – 3 times per day, or as often as needed, the first few days after surgery. Icing will help reduce the swelling. As your body heals, the swelling will decrease, and the symptoms should resolve.

The goal of surgery is to have you return to an active lifestyle without significant pain. You have a 70 – 90% chance of accomplishing these goals after surgery. To increase your chances of a successful operation, you will be asked to do the following:

1. Begin a program of walking after surgery. Walking will help you to heal your fusion in several ways. First, walking is an aerobic exercise; therefore, it will help to increase the oxygen level in your blood.   Increased oxygen means increased nutrition in the surgery site, which will increase your success. Your program of walking will consist of simply walking until you are tired or uncomfortable, and resting until you are ready to walk again. At your 3-week post op visit we hope you will be able to walk 1-2 miles per day.

2. Stop smoking, or at the very least, cut down. Smoking robs your blood of oxygen and delays healing which decreases your chance for a successful surgery outcome. Patients who smoke after surgery have a 15 – 25% increase in the failure to heal. We understand that it is often difficult to stop a long-term habit. The American cancer Society offers an excellent "STOP SMOKING" program, and they may be reached at 214-631-3862.

If you smoke, are a diabetic, or are 30 – 40 pounds over your ideal body weight, you may experience slower healing after surgery.

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