Cervical Laminoplasty
Overview Cervical laminoplasty is a surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) that increases the area of the spinal canal while preserving the…
Cervical Disk Arthroplasty Techniques
Overview Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion is a well-established, commonly performed surgical procedure for cervical spondylosis. Since its introduction in the 1950s by Robinson and Smith and also Cloward, excellent…
Anterior Cervical Instrumentation Techniques
Overview Although intense discussions persist in regard to which approach should prevail in treating pathology of the cervical spine, anterior approaches have become vastly more common and accepted over the…
Cervical Microforaminotomy and Decompressive Laminectomy
Overview Disorders of the cervical spine can cause radiculopathy, myelopathy, or both. Compression of the neural elements occurs most commonly as a result of disk herniation and/or osteophyte formation but…
Anterior and Posterior Endoscopic Approaches to the Cervical Spine
Overview Over the past decade, minimally invasive treatment of spinal disorders has become feasible with the application of percutaneous technologies. These percutaneous approaches to spinal problems have the merits of…
Posterior Cervical Stabilization Techniques: Cervical Pedicle Screw Fixation, Lateral Mass Screw Fixation, and Wiring
Overview A variety of techniques have been developed to internally stabilize the subaxial cervical spine using a posterior approach. These include interspinous wiring with bone grafts, interlaminar clamps, hook plates,…
Surgical Approaches to the Craniovertebral Junction in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Overview Pathologic processes that may involve the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), infection, trauma, tumor, Down syndrome and other congenital anomalies, osteoarthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, achondroplasia, and iatrogenic instability….
Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion
Overview Cervical spondylosis and disk degeneration can lead to radiculopathy and myelopathy from progressive foraminal or central stenosis. A 14 year epidemiologic study from Rochester, Minnesota, found the incidence of…
Odontoid Fractures and Screw Fixation
Overview Odontoid fractures account for 5% to 15% of all cervical spine injuries and are seen more frequently in elderly patients. The Anderson and D’Alonzo system for odontoid fractures is…
C1–C2 Trauma Injuries and Stabilization Techniques
Overview Fractures of the atlas and axis are often seen in the setting of trauma to the craniocervical junction (CCJ). Injuries to these vertebrae can induce instability and result in…
