Doctor suggests an anterior cervical discectomy plus spinal fusion. what is invovled in this?

Cervical fusion: Anterio rcervical fusion is usually done for degerative disc disease.Incision anterior neck , removal of the disc materal and bone spurs, placement of some type of bone graft and then fixation with bone plate fixed to the vertebrae with screws.

Disc removed & fuse: The cervical disc is removed from the front thru the neck anteriorly along with any bony ridges compressing nerve tissue & the disc space is filled with a piece of bone from a cadaver or from another area in your body(iliac crest) or with a metal or plastic-like spacer(peek) filled with bone with screws thru these devices holding them in or with or without a plate and screws fitted to the spine

Common procedure: An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with instrumentation is a common procedure to address cervical disc herniations, degenerative spondylosis and occasional to treat instability from trauma. A fusion will eliminate the motion at the involved joint segments. Most patients do well. For very good information and videos, check out spine-health.Com.