Understanding Neck Surgery: Types, Procedures, and Conditions

Cervical spine surgery (neck surgery) treats conditions affecting the seven cervical vertebrae. Common indications include:

• Cervical disc herniation
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• Cervical spondylolisthesis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Fractures from trauma
• Tumors (benign or malignant)

Surgical Goals

Relieve pain, improve neurological function, stabilize the cervical spine.

Common Procedures

• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): Remove herniated disc, fuse vertebrae.
• Posterior Cervical Laminectomy: Remove lamina to decompress spinal cord/nerves.
• Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion: Remove damaged vertebra, replace with bone graft.
• Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement: Replace damaged disc with artificial one to preserve motion.

Surgery is considered only after non-surgical treatments (physical therapy, medications, injections) fail. Decision involves consultation with a neurosurgeon or spine surgeon.