Spinous Process Plating

This surgery clamps together two spinous processes. These are the bony parts that stick out from the back of your spine. Clamping them together gives your spine stability.

Preparation

To begin, we give you medicine to put you to sleep. We make a small incision in your skin to reach your spinous processes. Now it's time to clamp them together. We call that "plating." There are many types of plating implants. They come in different shapes and sizes. We choose the one that's best for you.

Plating

The implant has two plates, one for each side of the spinous processes. Spikes on the inner surface of the plates grip the bones securely as the implant is tightened and the plates draw together. If we want your vertebrae to fuse, we add bone graft. And, other implants may be added to fully stabilize your spine.

End of procedure

When it's done, we close and bandage your skin. We watch you in a recovery room as you wake up. Follow your surgeon's instructions for a safe recovery.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.