If you have had a laminaplasty please give me your opinion - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

rwjwith · 12-28-2008, 11:08 AM

I am scheduled to have a c4-c7 laminaplasty on Jan. 15. I was diagnosed two years ago and have seen four neurosurgeons in two HMO'S. This seems to be my best choice to help my condition. Tell me did you feel a lot of pain immediately after? Is your neck range of motion is pretty limited still?. Thanks again.

captnanny · 12-29-2008, 03:13 AM

Hi,
I just had one but I am only ten days out of surgery so I am in pain. The hard collar is painful. I had c-2- c-6, maybe the same ones your having I still can't remember. They did it posterior. I had an acdf 18 months ago and the screws came loose as well as a synovial cyst. I do feel something is changing in my neck. I know that most of this pain is post op. I don't have the cracking sounds, I can tell the neck is not numb anymore. But to be honest I am only a little out of the surgery. Mine was very invasive they said I would experience a lot of pain for 2-4 weeks but my moblity will not be affected and the pain will ease up. I can already say that I feel like I can move my head more than I could, only I'm in a hard collar and don't want to do anything stupid. I just feel a difference.
Sorry I couldn't tell you more, check back often as when you have yours I will be exactly one month out of mine. I had mine dec 18.

rwjwith · 12-29-2008, 03:45 PM

Thanks for your post captnanny. I appreciate the info. I am glad to hear you feel this Laminaplasty has helped you, sorry to hear about the pain. I have had no previous surgeries and was told i would have to wear only a soft collar but I know it will be rough initially. I hope you continue to feel better.

sunshine221 · 12-29-2008, 10:11 PM

I had a laminectomy C4-c7 - no collar after surgery. I had some difficulty due to them cutting the large muscles but by and large I had no major problems. I was on the computer almost as soon as I got home and working from home after a few days.

Good luck
Sunshine

captnanny · 12-30-2008, 12:24 AM

Sunshine how did you do it. I may be limiting myself too much. I had a four level fusion/laminectomy, plus a cyst removed. I have a hard collar, it's been 11 days and I am still in pain. Not just ok pain but big pain at times. They did tell me that I could take the collar off for a while and when I'm laying down. One thing I haven't been doing is walking a lot. That was important I think. I just can't imagine you working after a week.