Cervical fusion is a form of surgery that removes a damaged intervertebral disc in the neck, replaces it with a supportive cage or implant, and permanently fuses the adjacent vertebrae. This procedure halts some movement within a motion segment, usually with the goal of increasing stability and relieving neck pain.

The exact cause of pain in the cervical spine can be tricky to pinpoint, largely because the spine is so complex and has many components – vertebrae, facet joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons, and muscles – all of which must work properly together to ensure optimal functioning. That said, when one or more of these components is damaged, degenerates, or for some other reason begins to function improperly, pain can often result. Read more