How risky is anterior cervical fusion?

Has risks: Refer to your provider for assessment of risks and benefits before having any procedure performed.

Depends: Some risks depend on a patient's general medical condition. This type of surgery is generally low risk in skilled hands. However, low risk doesn't mean no risk. Though complications of this surgery are rare, they can be catastrophic if they do occur.

3 months: Assuming a proper work-up has been done and conservative care has failed, most patients do very well from a single level cervical fusion. Average time for a complete recovery is 3 months. Although there are risks with any surgery, most patients do very well. Check out spine health.Com.