This procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

During the procedure, the surgeon will first make an incision on the front of the neck, moving aside muscle and other tissue to reveal the bones of the spinal column. The surgeon will then remove the damaged vertebra and the attached discs both above and below the damaged vertebra. This procedure, called decompression, relieves the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Next, the surgeon will typically perform a spinal fusion to ensure the spinal column is stable. During a spinal fusion, the surgeon fills the space left by the discs and vertebra with an implant. An implant fills the available space, providing strength and stability to the spine.

A strut graft is one type of implant. This is a piece of bone 1-2 inches in length. It may be taken from the patient’s own body or from a bone bank. The strut graft is inserted into the available space in the spinal column and fixed in place with titanium screws and plates. Eventually, the graft bone fuses, or grows together with, bone native to the area. Good bony fusion is important for long-term spinal stability.

A cage is another type of implant. Cages are constructed entirely of a material like titanium, ceramic, or man-made bone. The cage is inserted into the space and fixed in place with screws and plates. Small bone grafts are used to help achieve fusion between the cage and the bone of the spinal column. The small pieces of bone used for grafting the cage are typically taken directly from the removed vertebra.

The incision is then closed with sutures and dressed with a small gauze bandage.