Illnesses & Conditions
Information on diseases and health concerns, including symptoms, treatment options, and prevention.

Cervical spinal fusion

Surgery Overview

Cervical spinal fusion (arthrodesis) is a surgery that joins selected bones in the neck (cervical spine ). There are different methods of performing a cervical spinal fusion:

• Bone can be taken from elsewhere in your body or obtained from a bone bank (a bone graft). The bone is used to make a bridge between vertebrae that are next to each other (adjacent). This bone graft stimulates the growth of new bone. Man-made (artificial) fusion materials may also be used.
• Metal implants can be used to hold the vertebrae together until new bone grows between them.
• Metal plates can be screwed into the bone, joining adjacent vertebrae.
• An entire vertebra can be removed, and the spine then fused.
• A spinal disc can be removed and the adjacent vertebrae fused.

This procedure can be performed through an incision on the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the neck.

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