Overview
This surgery removes damaged or diseased vertebral bone and surrounding discs. It relieves neck, arm and keg symptoms caused by pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
Incision Created
The surgeon performs this procedure through and incision on the front of the neck.
- Removing the Discs
The disc above and below the damaged vertebrae are removed.
- Removing Vertebra
The surgeon removes the diseased vertebra, releasing pressure from the spinal cord and spinal nerves and relieving symptoms.
- Inserting the Graft
The space is cleared and prepared, and the bone graft is placed between the vertebrae. The graft may be an allograft from a bone bank or an autograft bone taken from the patient's own hip.
- Inserting The Plate
The surgeon may screw a small metal plate over the area to hold the bones in place while the vertebrae heal.
End of Procedure
During the healing process, the bon
e graft knits together with the vertebrae above and below to form a new bone mass called a fusion.
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