Spine

Key Points

  • Cervical Fusion is when any of the cervical vertebra (bones in the neck) are permanently fixed together.
  • This can be done alone or combined with other procedures.
  • Cervical Fusion is used to treat multiple conditions of the neck including damaged cervical spine bones or bone spurs or other cervical spine conditions.

Explore Riverside’s Spine Program

Overview

When any cervical, or neck, bones are permanently fixed together, this is a cervical fusion. It could be needed after removing some damaged bone or bone spurs.

Cervical fusions may be done from the front of the body (anterior) or the back (posterior) of the neck, depending on the situation. The bones may be fixed together using bone, plates and screws.

If the top of the cervical spine is involved, the cervical spine can be fused to the base of the skull(occiput).   

Cervical fusions may be done alone, or they can be combined with other procedures, as in the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF).

What it Treats

  • Cervical fusion is a surgical treatment for multiple cervical (neck) conditions, including:
  • Bone spurs
  • Damaged vertebral bone

Anatomy of the Spine

Explore an interactive model of the spine.

Spine Procedures and Treatments

Learn about the non-surgical procedures and spine surgeries offered.

What Matters

Learn the important questions to ask when selecting a spine surgeon.