A cervical fusion is performed by accessing the cervical spine, removing the disc, and using an implant to join the vertebrae. The procedure is designed to relieve pressure on the nerves and stabilize the spine. Here's a breakdown of the steps, based on available information:
Steps in a Cervical Fusion
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Accessing the Surgical Site:
- The soft tissues of the neck are carefully separated to provide access to the cervical spine. This allows the surgeon to visualize and work on the affected vertebrae.
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Disc Removal and Decompression:
- Surgical instruments are used to remove the damaged or degenerated disc.
- The nerve structures are decompressed, which means relieving any pressure on the nerves caused by the disc or bone spurs.
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Fusion and Stabilization:
- An interbody fusion implant is inserted into the vacant disc space. This implant acts as a spacer and helps to join the vertebrae together. The interbody fusion implant fills the vacant disc space and joins the vertebrae together.
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Additional Stabilization (Sometimes):
- In some cases, additional hardware, such as plates and screws, may be used to provide extra stability while the fusion heals. This is especially true when fusing multiple levels.
In summary, a cervical fusion involves accessing the spine, removing the problematic disc to relieve nerve pressure, and then using an implant to fuse the vertebrae together for stability.
