Anterior cervical fusion an overview

Anterior Cervical Fusion – An Overview Vertebral motion that is neck movement can cause the chronic back pain. The neurosurgical procedure is performed for reliving the pressure on the spinal cord or one or more than one nerve roots. It aims at stabilizing two or more vertebrae by joining them together. The Cervical Fusion Atlanta stops the further vertebral motion, and thus the pain and discomfort also stops.

Anterior means the front. In other words, the spine surgeon reaches the cervical spine by making a small incision in the front of the neck, generally within a skin fold line under the chin. The surgeon then retracts neck muscles using an operating microscope. He then removes the damaged or affected intervertebral disc which takes away the pressure off the spinal cord or nerves. This is known as decompression. It is then replaced with a bone graft that will join the vertebrae together over the period of time.

A bone graft refers to a plug of bone that allows the joining of bone to happen. It can be acquired from a bone bank which treats, collects and stores bone. The source of donor bones is deceased human beings. This form of graph is often referred to as allograft bone. The performed or replaced bone plug is safe and is not rejected by the body of the patient, it is cellular. In other words, it comprises of no blood cells.

In some cases, while performing Cervical Fusion Surgery Atlanta, the surgeon might use instrumentation. It refers to the usage of metal pins or plates that might be required for providing extra support and pressure to neck ensuring that the bones fuse effectively. If you have been recommended Cervical Fusion Surgery then you should know that the procedure lasts for two to six hours. The duration of the surgery depends upon the number of vertebrae that are involved, is instrumentation needed, and other factors.