Bob's Operation 6/29/05
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My spinal cord was under pressure and more serious damage could occur, so an operation was a necessary.  Loss of sensation and irregular gait are the symptoms. The operation was a Laminectomy with Spinal Fusion.  It involved Vertebrae C2 through C6, so there are 10 screws in my neck. See x-rays below.

Extensive rehabilitation after the operation was required.  As the fusion heals falling is not an option, so ambulatory support starts with a wheel chair; walker, cane, and finally no support.  After a few months of rehabilitation at the Rusk Institute of the New York University Medical Center I am almost as good a new.

Definitions:

Laminectomy reduces pressure on the spinal nerves by making the spinal canal larger. In this operation, the lamina -- the bony back portion of the spine that covers the spinal canal -- is removed at the site of nerve irritation.

The Spine Institute (NY) - Laminectomy

Spinal fusion involves joining two or more vertebrae and fusing them into a single bone.  The key to success is getting the bone to heal together.  Hardware is a tool to reduce deformity and eliminate the need for a brace, but if the bone does not heal the hardware will eventually crush or break.

The Spine Institute (NY) - Spinal Fusion