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Medical Author:

Jason C. Eck, DO, MS

Jason C. Eck, DO, MS

Dr. Eck received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Catholic University of America in Biomedical Engineering, followed by a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University. Following this he worked as a research engineer

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Sometimes, patients do not obtain enough relief of their symptoms from these nonsurgical treatments. If the patient is unable to function or do his or her normal activities due to pain, surgery could be an option. Additionally, patients with severe spinal cord compression (myelopathy) or increasing weakness of the muscles should consider surgery to help prevent permanent nerve damage.

There are several types of surgeries to treat spinal stenosis. The goal of each of these surgeries is to provide more space for the spinal cord or nerves that are being compressed due to spinal stenosis.

Lumbar spine

In the lumbar spine, this is most commonly treated with a laminectomy. This surgery removes a portion of the vertebra (lamina) to create additional space for the nerve. If any a small portion of the lamina is removed it is called a laminotomy. If too much of the bone has to be removed, or if there is too much motion remaining between the bones, the decompression may need to be combined with a fusion to help stabilize the spine.

Cervical spine

In the cervical spine, the most common treatment is an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). With this surgery the disc is removed from between two vertebrae along with any bone spurs pushing on the nerves or spinal cord. A bone graft is then used to replace the disc, and a metal plate is attached to the front of the vertebrae to help the bone grow together or fuse.

If multiple levels are involved in the neck, one of more vertebrae can be removed. This is called a corpectomy. After the bones are removed, a bone graft replaces them along with a plate.

Cervical spinal stenosis can also be treated surgically from the back side of the neck. A laminectomy can be performed as in the lumbar spine, but is typically combined with a fusion in the cervical spine to prevent any abnormal motion from instability after the surgery.

A final procedure for cervical stenosis is a laminoplasty. The involves creating more space in the back of the spinal canal by opening the back of the spine like a door, and leaving it open with a combination of bone grafts or plates.

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