Spinal fusion is currently the most common treatment for patients with degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. In this procedure, a surgeon extracts the damaged disc through the front (anterior) throat area and implants a bone graft and metal plate to fuse the vertebrae together. The graft acts as a bridge, connecting the two vertebrae to create a spinal fusion. The bone graft and vertebrae are often immobilized and held together with metal plates and screws.
It is possible after fusion that the patient notices some loss in range of motion, but this is largely concluded after assessing neck mobility prior to surgery, as well by considering the number of levels which were fused during surgery. (For example, if only one level is fused, range of motion may be similar—or even better—than it was before surgery). If two or more are fused, there may be more limitation.
Fortunately, new technology has been developed to preserve motion as an alternative to fusion. [Link to SPINE SURGERY>>CERVICAL>>Artificial Cervical Disc]