Lamina implants and methods for spinal decompression

A method for decompressing a vertebra, comprising:

• removing first and second laminae from a vertebra of a patient, thereby forming a first cut end and a second cut end;
• inserting a lamina plate into the patient such that a first terminal end of the plate contacts the first cut end of the vertebra and a second terminal end of the plate contacts the second cut end of the vertebra;
• inserting a first screw through a first bone screw hole in the lamina plate and into a first lateral mass of the vertebra;
• inserting a second screw through a second bone screw hole in the lamina plate and into a second lateral mass of the vertebra to couple the lamina plate to the vertebra;
• and
• after inserting the lamina plate into the patient, attaching a receiver head to the lamina plate.

A method for treating a vertebra, comprising:

• inserting a first screw into a first lamina of a vertebra;
• inserting a second screw into a second lamina of the vertebra;
• after inserting the first and second screws, removing at least a portion of the first and second laminae, thereby forming a first cut end and a second cut end;
• partially withdrawing the first and second screws from the vertebra such that the first and second screws protrude from the first and second cut ends, respectively;
• attaching a lamina plate to the first and second screws such that a first terminal end of the plate contacts the first cut end of the vertebra and a second terminal end of the plate contacts the second cut end of the vertebra.