Overview
Posterior cervical fusion is surgery from the back of the neck. It often combines a laminectomy to relieve pressure on the spinal cord with screws and rods that hold the vertebrae while they fuse.
It is commonly used for multilevel cervical myelopathy, instability or deformity.
Watch and learn
Video: “Posterior cervical fusion (PCF) - Patient Animation” from Globus Medical on YouTube. It loads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play. Shown for general education; GSMC did not produce it. Watch on YouTube
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Who may be a candidate
- Spinal cord compression at several levels
- Cervical instability or deformity
- Problems not easily reached from the front
Your exam, imaging and overall health decide whether this surgery is appropriate for you.
How it is done
- General anesthesia; you lie face down with the head supported.
- An incision is made along the back of the neck.
- The lamina may be removed to decompress the spinal cord.
- Screws and rods are placed and bone graft is added to promote fusion.
- Hospital stay is usually a few days.
This surgery is usually performed in a hospital, sometimes with an overnight or longer stay. Procedures that are appropriate for outpatient care may be performed at GSMC’s surgery center; others are done in a hospital. Your surgeon will explain what to expect.
Recovery timeline
Neck soreness and muscle pain are common; walking encouraged.
Gradual return to light activities; therapy may begin.
Fusion matures; nerve recovery from myelopathy can continue for months.
Recovery depends on the procedure, your health and how many levels are treated. Your surgeon will give you a written plan.
Risks
Every surgery has risks. Your surgeon will review them with you, including:
- Infection or wound problems
- Nerve or spinal cord injury
- C5 nerve palsy (temporary shoulder weakness)
- Nonunion
- Adjacent segment problems
Alternatives to consider
See all nonsurgical options, or ask for a second opinion.
Who performs it
Call 732-202-3000 to confirm which surgeon performs this procedure and where.
Frequently asked questions
Why from the back instead of the front?
The back approach can treat many levels and certain types of compression more effectively.
Will my neck be stiff?
Some motion is lost at the fused levels.
Is recovery longer than ACDF?
Usually yes, because the muscle dissection is larger.
This page is general patient education and does not replace advice from your own clinician. Individual results vary. No outcome can be promised.