Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion - Procedure details, recovery, and expectations. 

Best education on the whole procedure I've seen. He's brutally honest and spot on with the time frames. THE go to video.

...6 months later, I have to remind myself, that I had that surgery ! I had x-rays, to check, that the "hardware" is in the right places !! ... YES !!! ...it is !!! ... I asked that question to "ArmaghaniSpine" -6weeks after- and he kindly responded, ...if you are not in pain, it should be alright !!! ...he was right !! Thank you again !!! ...still numb hands, but I know, it is a matter of time .... I can do everything, even playing guitar !!! ...rocknroll !!!

Your explination and animation video is absolutely Top Of The Line. My surgeon has been painstakingly clear on this procedure that I have been avoiding but will finally be going through within a few days. We've reviewed X-rays and MRI films showing the spinal cord compression and the entire process that you show. Your presentation is clear and concise. I actually felt relief seeing Laminectomy animation in your video !

such an amazing teacher. Never had services from him but the confidence and competance is unparalleled

I was just noticing your willingness to answer questions. You are my hero! Thank you for your kindness!!!

Your videos would be excellent pre-op tools for a Spine Camp! They are informative without being overwhelming. Thank you for presenting the information.

Your videos are great, they're very easy to follow along during surgeries, thus putting my patients at ease.

Awesome overview!!!! My mom just had surgery a few days ago and your explanation of everything she had done is amazing! Thank you :)

Thank you for such a precise and informative video of an ACDF surgery. Because of this video, I am far more confident about my upcoming procedure.

Excellent overview. Very informative. Your patients are very lucky to have you.

This was an excellent summation and animation of the procedure. Thank you for this explanation!

God bless you and looking forward to my surgery!

Best explanation I've found on you tube. Very informative. Thank you!

1.8 weeks post surgery (C3 to C6) and found your RU-vid channel today. A confidence builder for me. Off all narcotics after 8 days. Managing pain now with Tylenol..my only ongoing issue is getting comfortable sleeping with the hard collar. Walking has been difficult due an extremely painful reoccurring heel spur and plantar fasciitis. Working on that as pre open my posture, balance and gait had degraded so bad that walking even 50ft was almost impossible. My experience post on is each day is exponentially better than the previous day.

Thank you for your clear and concise explanation of this procedure. My husband had this procedure after 2 failed anterior surgeries. Non- union and broken screws leading to chronic pain and inability to work such that we are now on SSDI. Once we discovered that the 2nd anterior procedure failed he was only left with this option. His surgery was 1 week ago and the pain at the base of his head has been tremendous. They fused C2-T1. Not much is helping his high pain level. Watching this video helps me to understand the trauma his body has undergone and accept that time is needed. This is a very invasive procedure (necessary, but traumatic to the body) Thank you. Doctors like you are a blessing and treasure 🙏🙏❤️❤️

Very useful thankyou. I'm currently awaiting this surgery on my c5. My symptoms are quite bad. Hands numb and tight. Constant cramp in my hands and some of my arm area. Hands constantly feel cold. Tightness in my knees. I'm hoping I'm in the third of people who gets symptom relief. Had this for 16 months now. I stumble a lot and have fallen a few times. Once braking my arm. Can't wait to feel good and normal again. I feel 20 years older since i had my spine injury. Good luck to everyone else going thru this 🙏 ❤

I am having this soon, and you really made me feel so much better and confident.

BTW your videos helped me a great deal in my cervical fusion and now my recent L5/S1 surgery. I appreciate your time and thorough explanation. My surgeon is phenomenal but not great on communication. I like to have a thorough explanation along with expectations. I even watch surgeries online prior to having mine. I’m weird like that I guess. Thanks again.

I found this very interesting. In 2019 I got a C-5, C-6 and C-7 laminectomy. Now almost 3 years later, my right hand has remained numb and my neck very sore. In 2010 I had an L-3 and L-4 laminectomy. That really helped me a lot. I could barely walked for 9 years and finally the specialist noticed the way that I walked. The morning that I had my operation did me so much good. I was able to walk without pain after so long. In 2000, they found out that I had Thoracic outlet Syndrome. In 2005, I had my left 1st rib removed. I felt so good. In 2006, I had my right rib removed. I could barely use my right hand. There was complication when the specialist cut my lung. It took me quite some time before I was ok. Like I said, after all that I went through my neck has been the worse and I can't seem to get better. Thank you so much for sharing your channel. It does really help me with what I'm going through. From Ontario, Canada

I've had this done in SA 8 years ago. My question is what protects the spinal cord from a back strike! Kind of scarey

Thank you very informative ❤

This was just bloody brilliant! Please continue to make these! Never has my problem been explained so intricately!! Words I can understand! Just found your channel & have subbed for sure. I just genuinely can't thank you enough!

Thank you-What for a brilliant presentation - Victor South Africa . I'm going to see my surgeon soon & have a better understanding now.

Thank you for this excellent video . Just what will cover the open spinal canal?

EXELENTE TU PRESENTACION, MUY DINAMICA, MUY ILUSTRATIVA, MUY FACIL DE ENTER CON TU METODOLOGIA, FELICIDADES.

Thanks for this video. It helped me to prepare for my surgery

Always great explanation. Thanks

All of your videos are phenomenal sources of knowledge. Thank you for the time and effort you’re putting into these!

Thank you for your time kind sir.

Great video thank you for the information

Perfect explanation sir 👍

Thank you for such a simplistic explination for the layman who have a limited understanding of the spinal anatomy. Your information delivery here is excellent. I have had a two level lumbar surgery in 2010. Unfortunatly I have had many complication with my spine since. I have been diagnosed with cervical stenosis and I was looking for info on this issue and came across your post. I have been walking with a cane since the surgery and my posture has changed dramatically. My my entire spine has been effected and I'm currently dealing with a diagnosis of cervical stanosis. I now need to begin the process of finding solutions for my spinal issues. Again, thank you so much. I feel much more informed and will use this as a reference through this process so I can understand and communicate with my Doctor on a more informed level.

I am facing fusion surgery from C2 -C7. This was very easy to understand and addressed a lot of my questions about outcome and recovery time. Thank you.

Awesome video, thanks

Thanks much for this wonderful video. The way you explained it, I'm able to understand the procedure. I need to have a laminectomy from C2, to T2. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and my spinal cord is being compress.

Amazing video and explanation. I had a C5 C6 and C7 laminectomy and fusion 3.5 years ago. I am a healthy 54 year old and I worked out almost daily. After the surgery my surgeon advised me not to ever workout with weights again. I spoke to another surgeon who told me that it was fine to workout again after recovering, provided I was strict in the motion and not to consistently move my neck in an up and down position so as to not wear out the disc levels above and below my fusion. What is you take on it? And how long do all the components (rods, screws, fusion) last? Thank you in advance.

Thank you for explaining the full surgery which I will be having on 3/31/22 in Atl. I'm more of visual even though my surgeon explained its better visually. I'm more at ease and feeling positive with the my outcome even with diabetes (use metformin/low reading).

Thank you for this explenation

Thank you!

Very useful sir thank you

Excellent video! Thank you! What about the long term effects such as limited ROM?

The best video.

Very nice education. Thanks

What protects the openings straight to the nerve root after the spinous process are removed ? Muscle and skin ? Are people that had this done on high risk of injury. Especially with the bone not there covering it anymore . ?

Thank you doctor excellent information my second surgery will be very soon the first one was in front ,this time it will be on the back of my neck . God bless you 🙏

Good job doctor 👏

I’m currently fused (ACDF) from C5-C7/T1, and have now suffered damage to C4/5. Small paracentral disc protrusion and osteophyte complexes, along with infolding of the ligamentum flavum cause dynamic spinal stenosis. I also have myeomalacia of the cord at C5-C7. My question is - would it be a good idea to have posterior laminectomy and rod fusion from C4/5-C7/T1? I’m afraid with the myeomalacia of the cord that I’m much more at risk of damaging my cord due to it “withering”

very good information

Dammn!. You know how talented you are at teaching?. You should become a Professor!.

very nice information sir.

Very informative video from one of the best Dr . I just have a question , do you use the ultrasonic tools surgery ? Thx

Thank you so much Dr Armaghani for clear and full describe of laminectomy cervical neck operation, ì had surgry on first of may 2024and i have problem with my right hand pain and numbness i was very wory but after watched your video i fell better, and in hospital didnt give me hard collar is make problem?🙏🙏💐

thank you for that video. I am out 7 weeks from surgery and one night in the hospital. I do have some aching in my neck but it's tolerable. I have, as the day progresses terrible pain in my hands and the crooks of my elbows. I also feel like I have something like palsy, which I never had before the operation.Sure do hope things get easier and less painful.

Thanks for your clear explanation. I have a question. After being fused like that, how and how much is the mobility of the neck affected ?

Thank you for the video, Is there a minimum number of level that needs to be opened for the spinal cord to float into the newly created space? Without the Spinal process, would there be no protection of the spinal canal from the back of the neck?

Thank You for a great video of helpful understanding for those of us without a medical degree. I am facing a C2-T3 Laminectomy and Fusion. I can't find much info on such a long multilevel fusion or how crossing the CT joint will effect my quality of life. Are there any groups - websites that might point me in the direction of more detailed info or potential emotional support. Thanks again!

Thank you for this video, I am having this type of procedure June 4th, I have a bunch of questions and watching this video, I can ask smart questions!

I’m having this done on June 1st and really appreciated all the details...thank you..👍🥴

Ur great doctor.Explained minute details.Ur services required in India

Amarghani spine I’m from Sydney Australia would love to know if you may help me with my query as I may be facing this surgery in the coming weeks. I have severe spondylosis that I have had 4 neck surgeries for already and unfortunately the last operation seems to have been a fail and I started to get terrible symptoms in the last 2 months and a mri which revealed a c7 7mm anterilothesis causing severe canal stenosis. My question is am I looking at this kind of surgery for this injury? As I’m so scared I’ve had the posterior approach once before and I have to say I have never ever felt such pain like that in my life and I have had many surgeries but this was something else. Would love if you can reply!

I'm looking at possibly having my C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7 and T-1 and T-2 fused like this. It scares me to think about. This video actually answered a lot of my questions. My last MRI showed bulging discs in C-4 thru C-6, and bone spurs on C-6, C-7 and T-1 and T-2. All of this is causing me severe problems with numbness, pain, severe distorting cramps in parts of my hand, loss of strength, uncontrollable shakes at times, and I'm down to all plastic dishes because I am tired of not being able to hold the dishes dependably. After that MRI showing all of that, I was rear ended when sitting still. I was hit at about 40-50 mph. Dr said I'm lucky not to be paralyzed due to the force of the impact and the compression already on my spinal cord. One question not answered in this video is what kind of protection the cord has after the fusion when you have removed the bones that protected it????? Can you help me understand what the limitations would be and the protection long term?? Thanks.

thank you so much for complete details im about to go through this process in may.. I do have question tho. if bones are removed from back of neck is the spinal cord in danger if hit in back necl?

I want to thank you Dr. Armaghani, for this informative and well explained presentation. I also want to thank some of the commenter's views for sharing their experiences and anxieties regarding such procedures. I had my first PCDF with my first neurosurgeon (C3-C6) in July 2020 in one city, which I couldn't fully recover from during the 4 weeks post-op, in the rehabilitation program there. After being relocated to a different hospital and rehabilitation center in a different city because of Covid, and still not doing well in the new rehab centre, a new MRI was ordered by my new neurosurgeon. This revealed that I still had further problems, because the during the first surgery, they "missed a spot" or two, where there was still some impingement on the the cord and peripheral nerve bundles. A second operation was performed in September 2020 at the new hospital and I was informed that they had to keep me anesthetized overnight to the next day to finish, because they didn't have the proper tools on hand for the instrumentation. This was a C2-T1 PCDF. I recovered from rehab enough to be discharged to home in October last year. I'm having another MRI this month for more apparent problems I'm facing now 10 months after my last operation to check for any misalignments, unbinding or shifting of the fusion. My neck & left shoulder is continually in great discomfort and periodically intensely painful. The left shoulder is swollen and bulging and sore all the time. I cannot stand for very long as I've lost my sense of balance and fear falling when standing or moving which has happened, but not very seriously so far. I'm still prescribed 6mg hydromorphone (slow release) twice daily, baclofen 10mg 5x/day/night, pregabalin 4x/day/night, as well as hydromorphone 1mg (breakthrough) every 4 hours when needed. I want to get off the hydromorphone before any addiction problems present. Also included would by acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500mg on a regular basis. I tried avoiding this surgery business for years with chiropractic, different levels of physiotherapy, medications and so on. Being hospitalized during Covid just compounded everything related to the issues surrounding health care with delays in admittance, diagnostics, staffing and procedures, isolation and quarantine, supply issues and being moved from room to room and to different hospitals, and different doctors and nursing. I'm not looking forward to a third operation if this last MRI shows up that it's possibly required, and hoping that one of these days that they finally can get it right. 😕

Awesome 👌

Wow brilliant

Awesome video, just have one question. Does activity in both arms mean more than one disc/bone spur?

I had this surgery a month ago and I had nerve damage..I can not lift my right arms and I was so worried but now that I know that it can take a year to recover feel more confident

great explaintion. I had 2. Going in for redo. I have a screw loose its a joke in my house now.

Thank you for the informative video. I had a c3 - c6 posterior laminectomy without fusion 6 months ago. I experienced a giant pseudomenigocele which was left to resolve on its own. That was a 8 week journey with a mri with contrast to confirm it’s closure. My ongoing and most troubling concern to date is cervicogenic dizziness which was not present preop. I’m attending physio with not much success and will be receiving trigger point injections to see if muscle tension is at play. Do you have any other suggestions I might consider if need be, such as RFA? Thank you for your time Doctor

Sir nut screw remove spine after surgery

Thankyou for an excellent educational video on this procedure! And including the risks involved with commonly asked questions outlined and explained👌 My dad just had this done and I felt so in the dark until I found this video. Many thanks and blessings

There is nothing though protecting the spinal cord after the laminectomy?

After you have performed the laminectomy and put in the scres/rods/plate, what happens? What covers and protects the spinal chord? T%hank you.

Im tetraplegic c3/c4 injury but not completed, it possible to fix it as it can to be better with my functional?

I was told by doctors PA I can sleep without my hard collar as long as I don't twist my head. I was scared to after posterior spinal fusion cervical. I cannot get any sleep

Doctor what do you think about the Mobi-C disk replacement? Do you do this procedure?

Sir my father have c3-c4 mylomalacic change which surgery should be done

Excellent teaching. I know doctors don’t have time for this much detail during appointments. This is a perfect answer to that problem. I may be having a posterior fusión after two artificial discs being placed at C5/6 and C6/7. My bone spurs are in the facet area. I waited too long for my first surgery and have permanent muscle loss in my dominant arm.

Excellent presentation. After his posterior lamenectomy and fusion my dad (80 years old and surgery on 5/11/22) developed what they are calling C5 palsy. He has almost no movement in his left arm and very little strength in the other. His fingers are also numb left and right. 1. Would you recommend a CT scan to make sure everything is in the correct place? (Left arm went totally lump about 3 days after surgery. Fingers were tingling them went numb after 3 days) 2 is there anywhere you can point me for specific PT exercises I can point out to his PT person? I’m seeing that in sub acute care the PTs aren’t as versed in this type of PT as they are with knee or hip replacements. Thank you!

I need a laminotomy c3-c6 with fusion but have severe osteoporosis . I'm practically a paraplegic at this point.

I haven’t this down 4years ago without the fusion all the time I have a headache and pain in the neck and of balance Could you help me? To fix the problem

Hello, I am looking at having this surgery for C4-C7, and have a question. What protects the spinal cord from being damaged once the lamina/spinous process is removed?

I enjoyed how you explained the surgery, I had this done 7 years ago c3toc7 at first he was going to do c2tot1but was not as bad as he thought so he felt it would be better rom. I still Don't have real good rom but the surgery was a success because now they took mri my cord is fine no compression I still have degenerative disease DISH Etc .but the main reason was the cord . What I would say to other people if they really need this surgery not to let fear stop them thank you

It’s been 18 months and I’m seul not ok. I had myelomylacia. Spinal cord damage. Now I have to get the rest of the spine done via MRI with dye. I can barely walk.

I just had this done 1 1/2 months ago. It was very painful surgery

I am having C7-T3 fused soon. Your video is the best that I have seen. I appreciated the clarity which you explained everything. I am already fused from C3 to C7 anteriorly. The posterior techniques is scarier. My question is, "how is the spinal cord protected after you remove the bone?

does the spinal canal stay open from the posterior after this surgery? No structural bone/hardware to protect the spinal canal, where the lamina used to be?

I’ve been having really bad pain in both my shoulder blades. Mostly the left. The whole left side of my torso goes numb as well. I’m having a C4-C7 Laminectomy & Foraminotomies on the 12th. Do you think that’s going to make my problems better? I have some impingements in C6. My MRI shows compression on my spinal cord from C4-C7 as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Very interesting video, thanks for sharing. I had a laminectomy and discectomy at L5/S1 about 10 years ago. While my nerve pain is largely gone I still suffer lower back pain and on occasion sciatic nerve pain when sitting for a while like when driving. I have often wondered what effect a laminectomy has on the strength of the spine structure, particularly during lateral movement. As my surgeon did not perform a fusion I wonder if I will suffer increased weakness in the area as I age due to the removal of bone. Interested to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks Doctor!

Sir i had numbness on the half left upper part on heat after this surgury what should I do

Thank you for describing the procedure In detail, as I now understand it so much better. I will be having a Laminectomy done on my cervical spine next month. My spine on 4 levels is compressed to the point that I am suffering severe pain going down my left arm and I am starting to have a balance problem from time to time. My surgeon now recommends a Laminectomy to decompress my cervical spine so hopefully I can be pain free again.

I have OPLL and I have to have 7 sectors of my neck fused I'm trying to find information on if having fusion is a good idea For if it will affect my ability to move my head Or body, my neck is already fused From classification I have to make a decision And I don't know the right one

Great explanation. I have to have this surgery on 2/20/23. I just have question, what protects the spinal cord since now there is no bone covering the cord? I understand why the screws, bolts. and rods are present, just not understanding nothing covering the spinal cord since the bone is removed.

Thank you for this excellent video. I am 4 weeks post posterior fusion of C2-T2. This is my 5th back fusion. I know my recovery will take a while.

What protects the back of the spinal cord once the spinous process and lamina are removed?

Just went through a 360 multi level fusion with discectomy, posterior was much more difficult to recover from and the pain was much worse. What is the percentage of infections that occur with posterior than anterior surgery? I suffered from an abscess after surgery and wound up having to get a dibredment and vacuum so in essence it took me longer to recover and unfortunately my hand and thumb issue I have bilaterally did not improve.

Thank you very much for sharing this excellent video! It's very clear and helpful. I have 2 quetions: 1. you menioned the patients can walk for as long as they want, should this be 6 weeks after surgery? Or should this be when patient is out of the hosptial , shortly after the surgery? 2. My Dad had this surgery two weeks ago, his walking problem (poor leg/body coordination, sense of powerlessness, etc) seems evern worse than it was before the surgey. But the doctor told him it's ok and normal, because it will take time for the nerve to recover and heal, usually it will be one year, or one and half years for the nerve to reach its optimal functioning. Is this true? Thanks again!

Four years post op- this surgery shattered my life. My traps are severely spasmodic, I have a hole in the back of my neck with mangle neck muscles and I am in more pain than ever before in my traps and down my arms. I still can not use my arms..

I'm getting this done on the 21st as well as an ACDF. You've alleviated my anxiety enormously. I'm freaking out less. TRULY GRATEFUL. Will I attract lightening? I'm an all weather walker.

This was a blessing watching this video. I'm scheduled for this procedure in 9/7/22 and am so afraid. Great video 😊 Thanks Paul