During surgery, your surgeon may remove all or part of the disk.  To reach the cervical spine, he or she may make an incision in the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of your neck. 

With the anterior approach, the neck may be more stable with a fusion (joining) of the vertebrae. 

With an anterior approach, your surgeon will make a horizontal or vertical incision on either side of your neck.  To reach the disk, soft tissue is moved aside.  All or part of the disk that is irritating the nerve is then removed.  Your surgeon may remove bone spurs.  The vertebrae may then be prepared for a fusion.  (Please see the sub-menu, Fusion, for further details).