Posterior cervical fusion (PCF) is a surgical technique that involves removing one or more of the cervical discs and replacing them with bone grafts that will eventually fuse multiple vertebrae into one piece. Posterior cervical fusion may be recommended for a variety of reasons such as: straightening the spine, stopping the motion between two or more vertebrae, and stabilizing the spine after a fracture or dislocation. The ultimate goal of PCF is for two or more cervical vertebrae to fuse together to relieve pain and/or provide stabilization.
Did You Know?
There are seven cervical vertebrae. C1 is known as the atlas and allows the head to move up and down. C2 is known as the axis and allows the neck to rotate from side to side. C3-C7 makes up the remainder of the neck, with C7 ending just above the shoulder.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for posterior cervical fusion (PCF) surgery?
You may be a candidate for posterior cervical fusion if you have any of the following:
Spinal deformity (scoliosis or kyphosis)
Spinal tumor
Spinal infection
Spinal instability
Cervical fracture
Spondylolisthesis
To find out if posterior cervical fusion is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Pranay Patel at one of our South Bay, Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Manhattan Beach locations.
What can I expect when having posterior cervical fusion (PCF) at Ocean Spine with Dr. Pranay Patel?
You can expect your PCF surgery to be performed at a hospital or surgical center under general anesthesia. Once you have been sedated, an incision will be made along the back of your neck to access the cervical spine. A bone graft will then be placed on the backside of the vertebrae. Bone grafts may be obtained from your bone, a donor, or using a synthetic bone graft compound. In order to ensure the bone graft material remains in place, metal rods, plates, and screws have recently started to be used. After the hardware has been placed, the incision will be closed with sutures.
What can I expect after having anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?
After your surgery, you will wake up in recovery where you will be monitored as the effects of the anesthesia wear off. You can expect to spend a few days in the hospital for recovery and observation. During your hospital stay, you will be encouraged to learn new ways of sitting and moving since your range of motion has changed. Oftentimes, you must be able to sit up, move, and walk in order to be discharged.
As you start the recovery process, it is normal to have some pain. Dr. Pranay Patel will provide you with the necessary pain medications to manage any post-operative discomfort. You will also be provided with a list of instructions to follow until you have recovered. Generally, these include guidelines on wearing a neck brace, attending physical therapy, and avoiding activities that strain your neck. While most patients recover in about 4-6 weeks, it takes a full 12-18 months for the neck to completely fuse. Because of this, there may be certain activity restrictions that last longer than 4-6 weeks.