Cervical decompression surgery can involve several different techniques to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. These include a laminotomy, where part of the lamina (the bony arch of the spinal canal) is removed, and a foraminotomy, which enlarges the opening that allows nerve roots to exit the spinal cord by carefully removing bone or soft tissue. In some cases, osteophyte removal is performed to eliminate bony growths, also known as bone spurs, that press on nerves. To provide greater stability, these procedures may be followed by a spinal fusion, which permanently joins two or more vertebrae together. Depending on the patient’s condition, a surgeon may use a single approach or combine techniques to achieve the best results.