There are two types of cervical fusion procedures: anterior cervical fusion, and posterior cervical fusion. In the anterior cervical fusion, the operation is done from the front of your neck. In the posterior cervical fusion, the operation is done through an incision in the back of your neck.

Most neck problems are from a degenerative, or aging, condition of the spine. Degenerative disc disease and cervical stenosis are two diagnoses that can lead to pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Surgery to remove this pressure can be done from the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the neck. Doctors use the anterior approach more often because the pressure is usually on the front portion of your nerves or spinal cord.

The posterior cervical fusion is performed through an incision in the back of the neck. A posterior cervical fusion is used

• To stop the motion between two or more vertebrae
• To recreate the normal curve of the cervical spine and keep a spinal deformity from getting worse
• To stabilize the spine after a fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine