The cervical spinal column is made up of vertebrae and intervertebral disc. The vertebrae are the bones, which create a tunnel called the spinal canal for the spinal cord to run from the brain to the lumbar region. The canal can become narrowed because of thickening of surrounding ligaments, bone formation secondary to arthritic changes, congenital factors, and/or disc degeneration. If the canal becomes narrowed enough it can compress the spinal cord causing neck pain, headaches, muscle spasms, and radiating symptoms into the upper extremities, or possible lower. If these symptoms do not respond to conservative treatment a surgeon may decide to perform a laminectomy, which consist of removing a portion of bone from the vertebrae to create more space in the spinal canal.
Physical Therapy is an important step in the recovery process following this procedure. The changes that can occur in the surrounding joints and soft tissue leading up to surgery, as well as the changes from the surgery, can create dysfunction within the cervical spine. Our physical therapist has advanced training in the treatment of spinal conditions, including post surgical management. It will be important to re-establish normal movement, and muscular activation to reduce symptoms and to prevent future impairments.
