This surgery removes a herniated or diseased disc and relieves neck and radiating arm pain caused by parts of the disc pressing on nerve roots. The surgeon performs this procedure through an incision on the front of the neck, the diseased or damaged disc is removed. As pressure is removed from the pinched nerve roots, pain is relieved. The space above and below the removed disc is cleared and prepared for a bone graft. The graft is placed between the vertebrae. The surgeon may screw a small metal plate over the area to hold the bones in place while the vertebrae heal. During the healing process, the bone graft knits together with the vertebrae above and below to form a new bone mass called a fusion.
