The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Posterior cervical decompression with fusion
SPINAL DECOMPRESSION SURGERY OF THE CERVICAL REGION WITH FUSION
Find out how our spinal surgeons can help to relieve pain in the back of your neck
What is fusion?
In addition to a Posterior cervical decompression, a fusion can be performed to increase the rigidity of the spine. Fusion involves the use and placement of screws connected by a rod to provide immediate stability creating a fusion.
This ‘scaffold’ will help to keep your spine still, allowing it to heal itself with less interruption over the next 9 to 12 months.
Need to know
The surgery usually takes between one and two hours. During the procedure surgery is performed to release the ‘pinched’ nerves and time screws and rods (instrumentation) are placed into the vertebrae of the spine at several levels. A local bone graft from the surgical area is then harvested and laid on the spine next to the rods and screws. This promotes fusion of the bone. Sometimes the bone graft is taken from the top of your hip or artificial bone graft can be used as well.
Your consultant will tell you how best to prepare for your surgery.
You will spend around one to three nights in hospital. After surgery you may need to lie flat in bed for a few hours while the anesthetic wears off. The aim will be to get you up and walking as soon as possible after the surgery.
The following day you will be mobilised in the morning with the assistance of a physiotherapist or nurse. Each day you will be encouraged to undertake more activities by yourself.
Our Posterior cervical decompression with fusion locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
Beaufort House WD6 3BS Elstree
Golders Green Outpatients
Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostic Centre NW11 9PY London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.