What is the fusion of the cervical spine?
When constant pain in the cervical spine or neck area cannot be successfully treated with other methods, sometimes cervical spine fusion is performed. This surgery combines vertebrae in the throat to each other, limiting the movement so that the pain is reduced or eliminated. The fusion of the cervical spine is sometimes the best way to end in the long term, weakening pain. The connection of the vertebrae at the point where the nerves is compressed significantly reduces the movement in the area. It can also help create additional space for nerves and nerve roots. The result is a reduction in pressure on the affected nerves to reduce or even eliminate pain. It can also help correct incorrectly alignment or deformity in the spine or treat problems caused by rheumatoid arthritis not the non -chronic states. In some cases, cervical spine fusion is performed to monitor treatment for a hernified disk or spinal stenosis, in which natural changes cause changes in spinal cords that compress nerves.
Depending on the needs of an individual patient, cervical spine fusion is performed in different ways. This type of surgery performed by cutting in the front of the neck is called the fusion of the anterior cervical spine. Surgery can also be carried out through the back of the neck, in which case it is a fusion of the rear cervical spine.
The procedure itself consists in removing the disk between the vertebrae or removing the entire vertebra. Bone graft can then be placed between the remaining vertebrae and grows into the bones above and down and combines them effectively. Other approaches to the fusion of the cervical spine include the use of implants or plates or the use of artificial fusion materials. Bone grafts are usually taken from the patient, most often from the hip bone, but the corpse bone can also be used.
After the fusion of the cervical spine, movement in the throat is somewhat reduced, but it usually has a small effect on the patient's overall mobility. As pain treatment, this procedure is in most cases successful.Sometimes postoperative complications occur and require subsequent monitoring surgery. Those who undergo the procedure must usually remain hospitalized for a short period of time while recovering and must carry the cervical collar for a short time to keep the neck stationary during the therapeutic process.