This cervical vertebral arthrodesis It is performed in a minimally invasive way to treat spinal discs that present some pathology.

He arthrodesis treatment It is applied to correct certain spinal pathologies, such as:

• Cervical fractures.
• Cervical degenerative disc disease (damaged intervertebral disc).
• Spondylolisthesis.
• Herniated discs with intervertebral degeneration.
• Cervical pain due to osteoarthritis.
• Osteoporosis.
• Cervical instabilities.
• Myelopathies due to spondylosis.

However, in cases where the patient has an active infection or is allergic to certain medications, performing an anterior cervical arthrodesis will not be feasible.

The duration of an anterior cervical arthrodesis can vary depending on the number of levels that need to be fixed. The Vertebral levels most frequently fixed during this procedure are C5-C6, C6-C7 and C4-C5..

The average surgical time for perform single level arthrodesis It is usually 75 minutes, and can be extended up to 3 hours if several levels are operated. In cases where iliac crest bone graft is used, the surgery lasts about 15 minutes longer. In addition, other factors can influence the intervention time, such as the condition of the vertebral discs and vertebrae.

Before considering the surgical treatment for cervical pathology through arthrodesis, conservative treatments with drugs, physical rehabilitation or infiltrations will be prioritized. If after a certain period no physical improvement is observed in the patient with these non-surgical treatments, then the option of surgery through arthrodesis will be evaluated.

In general, the immediate period after surgery is not highly painful. The patient remains hospitalized for at least 24 hours, with the placement of a drain to prevent the formation and accumulation of hematomas in the anterior cervical region.

The use of a cervical collar is indicated until radiological controls demonstrate spinal fusion. Physical rehabilitation will begin about 6 – 12 weeks after the arthrodesis operation. An additional period of 6 – 8 weeks of physical rehabilitation is generally required to achieve full cervical mobility and strengthen the muscles.

Posterior cervical arthrodesis is a highly successful surgical procedure in cases of radiculopathy caused by compression of a nerve root.

During the anterior cervical arthrodesis operation, the main problems that may be faced are dysphonia, difficult swallowing and bleeding. However, its impact on the patient is short-lived.

In the recovery process, problems related to disc fusion or rupture may arise, although the percentage of patients who experience these postoperative complications is minimal. In general, the Anterior cervical arthrodesis does not present sequelae in the patient in the long term.

Cervical spinal fusion, by fusing two or more vertebrae, has a significant impact on spinal movement. While this procedure is effective in stabilizing the spine and relieving pain, it limits flexibility in the treated region.

The fusion of the vertebrae restricts the natural ability to move. It is important to consider this effect when evaluating the benefits and limitations of arthrodesis in the treatment of specific pathologies of the cervical spine. 

The fundamental difference between arthrodesis and arthroplasty lies in the approach of the procedure and its final objective.

Arthrodesis involves the fusion of two or more adjacent bones to form a single continuous bone structure. This method seeks to stabilize the joint and eliminate movement in that specific area.

On the other hand, arthroplasty focuses on fully or partially replacing a damaged or deteriorated joint with an artificial implant. Unlike the joint, it allows a certain degree of movement between the articular surfaces thanks to the use of prostheses or implants designed to reproduce the function of the natural joint.

The choice of technique used will depend on several factors, such as the severity of the injury, joint disease, the patient's age, general health, and expectations for mobility and recovery.