Cervical Spinal Fusion Surgery

Cervical spinal fusion is a procedure that joins two or more adjacent vertebrae to improve neck stability and relieve mechanical pain. The goal of this spine surgery is to eliminate the source of the underlying pain and to fuse the 2 vertebrae together.

Candidates for cervical spinal fusion

  • Suffered acute spinal fracture or another injury requiring stabilization to prevent additional damage or complications
  • Require stabilizing and aligning of the neck vertebrae due to cervical disc herniation, tumors, cysts, spinal stenosis, the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, or degenerative disc disease
  • Have cervical instability
  • Have cervical misalignment caused by spondylolisthesis
  • Require an adjunct to stabilize the vertebrae following decompressive surgery
man with chronic neck pain

An overview of cervical 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.

 

Does cervical spinal fusion work?

Cervical fusion surgery produces excellent results when you have a skilled surgeon who chooses patients who can benefit from proper technique. The most significant benefit is elimination of neck pain and resolution of neurologic symptoms. After recovery, patients can return to most, if not all, of their routine daily activities and exercises.

Schedule an Appointment with Neurosurgeon Dr. David Barnett

A leading Dallas neurosurgeon, Dr. David Barnett, specializes in treating conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine with a minimally-invasive approach. If you have deformities of the cervical spine, suffer severe neck pain, or need to improve the stability of the cervical spine, we invite you to make an appointment with Dr. David Barnett today.

Patient Information

Testimonials

What Our Patients Have to Say

From start to finish, Dr. Barnett and his staff were always informative and professional. Dr. Barnett performed my neck surgery and lower back surgery all during a pandemic and everything worked out perfect. Highly recommend Dr. Barnett. Top notch. 

 

-Healthgrades

Our goal is to determine the most effective treatment possible for you

Contact us to schedule a consultation and let us help you start feeling better today.

Dr David Barnett
Seeking a second opinion?

Dr. Barnett’s 26 years of experience lends to a level of advice and treatment that will bring an end to your back pain.

Our goal is to determine the most effective treatment possible for you

Contact us to schedule a consultation and let us help you start feeling better today.

Dr David Barnett
Seeking a second opinion?

Dr. Barnett’s 26 years of experience lends to a level of advice and treatment that will bring an end to your back pain.

Our goal is to determine the most effective treatment possible for you

Contact us to schedule a consultation and let us help you start feeling better today.

Seeking a second opinion?

Dr. Barnett’s 26 years of experience lends to a level of advice and treatment that will bring an end to your back pain.

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