Surgery Overview
Cervical spinal fusion is surgery that joins two or more of the vertebrae in your neck. When these bones are joined together, it's called fusion. After the joints are fused, they can no longer move.
During the surgery, the doctor uses bone to make a "bridge" between your vertebrae. This bridge may be strengthened with metal plates and screws. In most cases, the doctor uses bone from another part of your body or bone that has been donated to a bone bank. But sometimes human-made bone is used.
To do the surgery, the doctor makes a cut in either the front or the back of your neck. The cut is called an incision. It leaves a scar that fades with time.
After surgery, you will have a short hospital stay. Your neck will feel stiff or sore. You will get medicine to help with pain.
Most people can go back to work after 4 to 6 weeks. But it may take a few months to get back to your usual activities.
