Cervical fusion surgery permanently joins two or more vertebrae in the neck to eliminate movement between them, relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots and correcting instability caused by injury, degeneration, or deformity. It's typically considered once cervical fusion treatment through non-surgical means, such as physical therapy or injections, has failed to relieve symptoms, or when imaging shows instability or nerve compression severe enough to warrant surgical correction.
Dr. Brett Taylor is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon practicing at Town & Country Crossing Orthopedics (TCCO) in St. Louis, Missouri. He evaluates each case individually, using diagnostic imaging and clinical history to determine whether cervical fusion is the appropriate course of treatment and which surgical approach best fits the patient's anatomy and diagnosis.
Attorneys and physicians working with a client or patient who may need this type of care can submit a referral to begin the review process.
Cervical fusion can be performed through an anterior (front of the neck) or posterior (back of the neck) approach, depending on the location and cause of the instability or compression.
Screws, rods, or plates are used to hold the vertebrae in place while the bone graft heals and fuses into a single, stable segment, a process that generally takes several months to complete.
Cervical fusion surgery is most often recommended for:
For some patients, particularly those with single-level disc disease and preserved spinal alignment, total disc replacement may be considered as an alternative to fusion, since it's designed to preserve motion at the treated level rather than eliminate it. Whether a patient is a candidate for disc replacement versus fusion depends on the specific diagnosis and imaging findings, and is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Attorneys handling cases that involve a cervical spine diagnosis, and who need an independent medical opinion rather than a referral for treatment, can learn more about our expert witness and legal services.
Cervical fusion surgery cost varies significantly based on the surgical approach, the number of vertebral levels involved, whether additional procedures are needed, and how the case is being billed, whether through workers' compensation, a personal injury claim, or another arrangement. Because TCCO's patient base is largely referral-based rather than direct-pay, cost is typically discussed and coordinated as part of the case rather than published as a flat rate. Attorneys and physicians with cost-related questions for a specific case are welcome to include that in their referral.
The difference comes down to which side of the neck the surgeon accesses the spine from. An anterior discectomy and cervical fusion approaches the spine through the front of the neck and is most often used to treat a herniated disc pressing on a nerve from the front. A posterior approach accesses the spine from the back of the neck and is generally reserved for cases involving compression or instability affecting the rear elements of the spine. The right approach depends on the specific diagnosis, and Dr. Taylor determines this after reviewing a patient's imaging and clinical history.
Dr. Brett Taylor is a board-certified spinal fusion surgeon and orthopedic surgeon in St. Louis, MO, with fellowship training in spine surgery and experience across a full range of cervical and lumbar procedures. He evaluates and performs each surgery personally, working directly with referring attorneys and physicians throughout the case.
Referring physicians and attorneys can submit a referral describing the patient or client's diagnosis and relevant history to begin the review process. Once received, Dr. Taylor reviews the case to determine whether cervical fusion or an alternative treatment is the appropriate next step, and next steps are coordinated directly with the referring party.