Neck strain is an irritation to tendons, muscles and ligaments in the upper back and neck area due to wear and tear or a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck, usually because of sudden extension and flexion, such as a car accident. Symptoms such as neck pain may be present directly after an injury or may not appear for several days. In addition to neck pain, other symptoms may include neck stiffness, injuries to the muscles and ligaments, headache, dizziness, abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling

How Does this Procedure Work?

This surgery is usually done with the patient lying face down on the operating table. Dr. Raskas will make an incision down the middle of the back of your neck. The skin and soft tissues are separated to expose the bones along the back of the spine. He will use a surgical microscope during the procedure to magnify the area that he will be working on and remove a portion of the lamina so that the spinal canal is visible and then remove any disc debris that may be intruding on the nerves and spinal cord. Herniated material attached to the disc will be removed or he may remove the entire disc. Dr. Raskas will also perform a cervical fusion (stimulating bone growth between the vertebrae so that they will be joined) to avoid a post-operative risk of instability which could lead to pain or deformity.

Because every patient is unique and treatment options range from minimally invasive back surgery to advanced surgical procedures, recovery varies greatly among his patients and is dependent on the extent of your surgery, age and health.

For more information about a cervical laminectomy or other spinal surgery options to treat back pain, contact Dr. David S. Raskas at 314-442-4452.