Cervical Spinal Fusion Surgery

The cervical spine may be fused with different materials, including plates, cages, rods, artificial discs, bone grafts, or a combination of these components. Your surgeon will determine the best technique and approach given the underlying cause of instability, which is why it is important to carefully select who will perform your cervical spine surgery, what technique they will use and how many levels they will fuse. Dr. Barnett believes in a minimal approach to treat only those levels that have significant findings and to minimize post operative recovery.

Access to the cervical spine is typically through the front of the neck. After removing the damaged disc that needs to be joined, a spacer is used to create a bridge between the gap.

Patients can expect to walk immediately after surgery and will spend one night in the hospital. Most patients can return to work within one to two weeks, depending on the nature of their job. Jobs which require strenuous activity will require more time before returning to work. It usually takes at least three months for the cervical vertebrae to heal together with new bone growth. During the first month, patients are asked to wear a cervical collar or brace when they are up and about or riding in a car and avoid activities such as forceful bending or twisting motions that place undue strain on the neck.