[Roxygirl]

My neck problems are getting worse. In addition to cervical stenosis and chord and nerve root compression, my right shoulder and arm are painful and I am getting increasing weakness in my arm. I have seen 4 neurosurgeons who all recommend different surgical approaches. I have narrowed my choice to 2. I was hoping to wait till the summer but I don't know if I could wait at this point.

I am trying to decide beside a 3
Level posterior lamioplasty. without fusion and posterior foramenectomy without fusion. My hand writing has changed and am having some difficulty opening things

[Jastek]

The answer to that would depend on the cause of the compression. Are there bulging discs? If so, why no fusion?

[Roxygirl]

Originally Posted by Jastek

The answer to that would depend on the cause of the compression. Are there bulging discs? If so, why no fusion?

The compression is due to a combination of discs and osteophytes causing a mass effect compressing the nerve and spinal chord. All of my levels are funky, placing me at increased risk of developing problems in adjacent levels

[Jastek]

I would think that the laminoplasty is your best option. The foraminotomy would only take care of the nerve compression (assuming they do it endoscopically). I am surprised that they are not suggesting a fusion, unless the discs have very minor involvement. I agree that your risk of ADA (adjacent disc disease) is increased with a fusion. Even with the laminoplasty, you may still be left with some foraminal narrowing which may have to be dealt with, but it should be taken care of by the laminoplasty. Just my 2 cents.