Laminoplasty

A laminoplasty is a procedure in which part of a spinal vertebra called the lamina is hinged outward to create more space around the spinal cord. Laminoplasty is commonly used to treat cervical stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal is narrowed in the neck due to degenerative arthritis and there is pressure on the spinal cord. Common symptoms of cervical stenosis include hand weakness or loss of dexterity, hand numbness, and trouble with balance.

Alternatives to laminoplasty include laminectomy with or without fusion. The advantage of laminoplasty over laminectomy alone is that it is better at maintaining stability since less bone is removed. And laminoplasty preserves more neck motion than a fusion.