Anterior Cervical (front of the neck) fusion surgery is performed to promote the growth of the bones into one solid unit of bone. Once the disc between the vertebral bodies is removed during surgery, the space is enlarged to make more room for the neural elements (nerves and spinal cord). An interbody fusion device may be placed between the bodies of the vertebra and a titanium plate is used to connect them into a permanent cast. Because the goal of the procedure is to fuse the bones together, motion of the neck may be limited in both up and down and side to side movements.
This procedure may be used if the patient has degenerative disease, stenosis, herniated disc or a combination with symptoms such as pain, numbness and weakness in the neck and arm.