POSTERIOR CERVICAL FUSION This booklet is designed to inform you about the Posterior Cervical Fusion (PCF) surgical procedure. It is not meant to replace any personal conversations that you might wish to have with your physician or other member of your healthcare team. Not all the information here will apply to your individual treatment or its outcome. The information is intended to answer some of your questions and serve as a stimulus for you to ask appropriate questions about the procedure.

POSTERIOR CERVICAL FUSION About the Cervical Spine The area of the spine in your neck is CERVICAL called the cervical spine. It is made up of seven bones, called vertebrae. These vertebrae are connected by several joints, which allow you to bend, twist, and move your neck. The main joint between two vertebrae is called a disc. The disc is comprised of two parts, a tough and fibrous outer layer (annulus fibrosis), and a soft, gelatinous center (nucleus pulposus). These two parts work in conjunction to allow the spine to bend, twist, and also provide shock absorption. COCCYX ZONE OF SPINE FOR THE...

What is causing my pain? There are several primary causes of cervical spine problems. The majority of the symptoms are caused by disc, bone, or ligaments pressing onto the nerve roots or cord. DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE (DDD) During the natural aging process, the discs between each vertebral body can lose their flexibility, height, and elasticity. This can lead to a tear in the tough outer layer of the disc, causing the gelatinous core to bulge or herniate. NERVE COMPRESSION Cervical disc bulging or herniation can cause pressure on the nerve roots and/or spinal cord causing symptoms including...

What are my treatment options? Rest, heat, electrotherapy, physical therapy, and pain medication are all options to help treat your symptoms. You should talk to your physician about all viable options for your specific symptoms. If your symptoms do not improve with other methods, your physician may suggest spinal surgery. Surgery is reserved for those who do not gain relief from non-operative forms of treatment, patients whose symptoms are increasing or worsening, and/or patients that present with a spinal condition which indicates the need for surgery. Is Posterior Cervical Fusion (PCF) spine...

What are the potential benefits of having the PCF procedure? PCF is the technique of joining the bones of the cervical spine together. Over time these small bones fuse together to form an internal brace and stabilize the cervical spine, reducing painful motion or spinal cord compression. The benefit to the patient is stabilization, possible reduction in pain, reduction in continuing degeneration, and maintaining stability after a laminectomy (surgery to remove the lamina or back part of the vertebra that covers your spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves). Before surgery...

What happens during surgery? SURGICAL PROCEDURE An incision is created over Some removal of impinging direct spinal cord or nerve root decompression is necessary. What implants are used? Below are some examples of implants that may be used during a posterior cervical fusion or an occipito-cervical fusion procedure which extends into the lower portion of the skull (occiput). Rods with hooks or screws Occipital plate

BEFORE DURING AFTER Instrumentation is inserted to provide stabilization at the treated levels. been secured in place, bone Rod systems with hooks and screws graft material is implanted so are the most common instrumentation that fusion can occur. used in this surgery; they increase stability and rate of fusion. Rods will then be contoured and inserted to fit the space. The rods will be secured in place with locking screws. Occipital plate with rods, hooks, and screws Learn more about PCF Visit www.nuvasive.com

What can I expect...? After surgery BEFORE DURING AFTER You may or may not need a neck brace after surgery. This is dependent upon your surgeon and the specific procedure, as well as the number of levels involved. You may experience postoperative pain as well as muscle spasms at your surgical site. This is well controlled with pain medications and muscle relaxers that can be prescribed by your surgeon. It is not uncommon to spend the first night or two with the head of your hospital bed elevated to decrease pain and swelling. Often times, there is a small drain tube that is removed on the first...

Frequently asked questions CAN I SHOWER AFTER SURGERY? Depending on your surgical incision, you may have showering restrictions. Ask your physician for appropriate instructions. WILL I HAVE A SCAR? This surgery involves a small incision on the posterior (back) of your neck. Ask your physician for more information as every patient is different. WHEN CAN I DRIVE? For a period of time after your surgery, you may be cautioned about activities such as driving. Your physician will tell you when you may drive again. CAN I TRAVEL? The implants used in the PCF procedure may activate a metal detector....

RESOURCES For more information about the PCF procedure please visit: www.nuvasive.com If you would like to learn more about patient support and education for chronic back, leg, and neck pain sufferers and their loved ones, please visit: www.thebetterwayback.org If you have any questions about the PCF procedure or cervical spine surgery in general, please call or see your physician, who is the only one qualified to diagnose and treat your spinal condition. This patient information brochure is not a replacement for professional medical advice.

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