Cervical Laminoplasty

Hi Tony & welcome to the forum. This is a posterior surgery & those usually take longer to heal & recover from. Your dr saying a 3-4 month recovery & back to work, it really pushing it as far as I am concerned. What type of symptoms are you currently having? If you are having a lot of problems with nerve issues, you need to be aware the nerves have to heal on their own. There is no time line for them. It can take a good year & a half for those nerves to heal. A lot depends on what your issues are going in. Surgeons are known for down playing the recovery to patients. What type of work do you do?

You should have someone with you the first week at least. If you have a recliner let that become your new bed for awhile. Many of our cervical folks all recommend a recliner for sleeping. It is too difficult trying to get up & down in a bed & painful. Borrow one from a friend or relative.

I urge you to look at the top here & click on CP101, then scroll towards the end. There is a post made by surgical members with lots of tips to prepare & recovery from surgery.

Take care.

Ok from Objective:
The Cervical MRI scan demonstrates degenerative changes with Spondylosis extending from C2-C7. The is straightening of the normal cervical lordosis. There is a left sided disk osteophyte complex at C3-4 causing mild left forming narrowing. There are midline disk osteophyte complexes extending from C3 to T1 with mild narrowing of the central canal.
C2-3: CANAL is 11.3 mm
C3-4: CANAL is 9.5 mm
C4-5: CANAL is 10.6 mm
C5-6: CANAL is 10.8 mm
C6-7: CANAL is 9.5 mm

I guess I should have asked what normal canal space is..
I actually went in for back pain which I have had on and off for years.

Thoughts? I didn't really hurt until he told me what was wrong with me.. LOL
now discomfort is noticeable.
I am currently 255. I know with my back pain it radiates down to my left leg. and I have no reflux in left angle with numbness in last 2 toes on left foot.

I lose weight and then gain it back. but I know when I am below 245 my leg pain is not there. I have read that losing 4 lbs relieves 15 lbs pressure on your spine. whether that is true or not I do not know..

Thank you
Tony

You are correct . . . For every 4 pound weight loss, there is a 15 pound reduction in weight-bearing forces placed on the knees, hips, and spine.

This model applies to over-weight and obese individuals who lose weight. The model of 4 lb. weight loss = 15 lb. reduction in joint stress is valid until an over-weight person is considered a normal weight/normal BMI. The weight: joint stress ratio lessens when a person is considered to be normal weight.

Bottom Line: A small reduction in body weight can have a profound and significant benefit on one’s joints.

Best wishes in your decision and plan,
Karen