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Cervical spine fusion is a surgical procedure that permanently joins two or more vertebrae in the neck to eliminate painful motion, restore spinal stability, and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This procedure is often necessary when degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spondylolisthesis, cervical osteoarthritis, or failed previous surgery causes chronic neck pain, arm pain, or neurological symptoms that do not respond to conservative treatment. Dr. Thomas M. Wascher has performed 4,500+ cervical spine surgeries over 33+ years with a total complication rate of 1.06%, more than nine times better than the medical literature rate of 9.64%.
Fusion works by removing the damaged disc between vertebrae and replacing it with a bone graft or synthetic cage that promotes new bone growth. Over several months, the vertebrae fuse together into a single solid bone, eliminating the painful motion while maintaining overall neck function. Dr. Wascher uses microscopic anterior and posterior fusion techniques with titanium plating for immediate stability and high long-term success rates.
Total Complication Rate:
Dr. Wascher: 1.06%
Medical Literature: 9.64%
9X SAFER than national averages
4,500+ Cervical Spine Surgeries
33+ Years of Data
(September 1992 - December 2025)
Fusion success rate exceeds 95%
Multilevel Fusion for Kyphosis
60-year-old female with progressive neck pain
Corrected 13 degrees of kyphosis
Complete fusion at 3 months
Excellent functional outcome
Cervical fusion is recommended when spinal instability, severe disc degeneration, or bone abnormalities cause persistent symptoms that conservative treatments cannot resolve. Common conditions that may require fusion include:
Degenerative Disc Disease: When cervical discs lose height and hydration over time, the resulting instability can cause chronic neck pain and nerve compression. Fusion eliminates painful motion between affected vertebrae and restores proper spinal alignment.
Cervical Spondylolisthesis: When one vertebra slips forward over another, fusion stabilizes the misalignment and prevents further slippage that could compress the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Herniated Disc with Instability: After removing a severely herniated disc to relieve nerve compression, fusion may be necessary to fill the void and prevent abnormal movement between vertebrae.
Cervical Osteoarthritis: When bone spurs and facet joint degeneration cause painful motion and nerve compression, fusion eliminates the painful joint while removing the compressive elements.
Failed Previous Surgery (Pseudarthrosis): When a prior fusion fails to heal properly or hardware loosens, revision fusion may be needed to achieve stable bone healing and symptom relief.
Fractures or Trauma: When cervical spine fractures cause instability or spinal cord risk, fusion provides structural support during healing.
Dr. Wascher evaluates each patient with advanced imaging (MRI, CT scans, flexion-extension X-rays) and a thorough neurological examination to determine if fusion is the most appropriate surgical option.
Cervical spine fusion can be performed through an anterior (front of neck) or posterior (back of neck) approach, depending on the location and extent of pathology.
Anterior Cervical Fusion: Dr. Wascher makes a small horizontal incision along the front of the neck and accesses the spine between the trachea and carotid artery without disturbing neck muscles. Using high-powered magnification, he removes the damaged disc and any bone spurs compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. A structural bone graft or titanium cage packed with bone-growth material is placed in the disc space to restore height and promote fusion. A titanium plate with screws is secured across the fusion levels to provide immediate stability.
Posterior Cervical Fusion: For conditions requiring decompression from the back of the spine, Dr. Wascher uses a midline approach to access the cervical vertebrae. After removing compressive bone and ligament, he places screws into the lateral masses or pedicles of the vertebrae and connects them with rods for rigid fixation. Bone graft is placed along the vertebrae to promote solid fusion.
Both approaches are performed under general anesthesia with intraoperative neuromonitoring to continuously assess spinal cord and nerve root function. Single-level fusions are typically performed outpatient, while multilevel fusions may require a one-night hospital stay.
Most patients experience significant pain relief after fusion surgery, though complete bone healing occurs over several months. Patients typically wear a cervical collar during the initial healing phase to protect the fusion while bone develops.
Physical therapy begins once the collar is removed, focusing on restoring neck strength, range of motion, and proper posture. Return to work and activities varies by patient and the extent of surgery performed. Dr. Wascher's microscopic technique results in smaller incisions, less soft tissue disruption, and reduced postoperative pain, with over 80% of procedures performed outpatient.
Fusion success rates are high with modern surgical techniques and materials. Follow-up X-rays or CT scans confirm solid bone healing, and patients achieve stable, pain-free necks with significant improvement in arm pain, numbness, and weakness. While fusion eliminates motion at the treated levels, most patients maintain good overall neck mobility and return to normal daily activities without restriction.
Vanessa had years of neck pain leaving her unable to even do her daily work. But with Dr. Wascher’s quick and timely intervention that included multiple viewings of MRIs, muscle and nerve tests, followed by a 3-Level Anterior Cervical Fusion, she is now happy without any neck issues. “I can happily say that by following the recommendations of Dr. Wascher, I am now pain-free,” says Vanessa as she talks about how great Dr. Wascher and his team were to work with.
When Nanette experienced deep pain in her shoulder, she got tests performed, only to discover that she, in fact, had issues with her neck instead. After a few MRIs and scans, she contacted Dr. Wascher, who told her that she has bone spurs going into the spinal cord. Within a span of 3 weeks, she was able to go through surgery and get on the road to recovery. “I cannot say enough about Dr. Wascher’s expertise and empathy”, says Nanette as she joins an ever-growing community of people who, through Dr. Wascher and his team, have found happiness again.
Dr. Thomas M. Wascher is one of the few cervical spine specialists in the country who focuses exclusively on the cervical spine, bringing unmatched expertise to fusion procedures. With 4,500+ cervical spine surgeries performed over 33+ years, he has achieved a total complication rate of 1.06%, more than nine times better than the published medical literature rate of 9.64%. Dr. Wascher was valedictorian of his high school, college, and medical school classes and has been named to America's Top Surgeons since 2007 and Best Doctors in America since 2000.
Patients travel to Appleton from across the country and internationally for Dr. Wascher's expertise in complex cervical spine conditions. His philosophy is simple: treat every patient as a family member with a unique approach tailored to their specific condition and goals.
Surgery duration varies based on the number of levels being fused and the complexity of each patient's condition. Dr. Wascher uses intraoperative neuromonitoring and microscopic techniques to ensure precision and safety throughout the procedure. He will discuss expected surgical time during your consultation based on your specific treatment plan.
Fusion eliminates motion at the treated levels, but most patients maintain good overall neck mobility and can perform normal daily activities without restriction. The body naturally compensates by increasing motion at adjacent unfused levels. During your consultation, Dr. Wascher will discuss expected mobility outcomes based on your specific fusion levels.
Dr. Wascher achieves high fusion success rates using modern surgical techniques, structural grafts, and titanium plating. Fusion typically occurs within several months, confirmed by follow-up imaging. The vast majority of patients achieve solid bone healing with significant pain relief and improved function.
Cervical collar use varies by patient, depending on the number of fused levels and the strength of the initial fixation. The collar provides external support while fusion develops and prevents excessive motion that could interfere with bone healing. Dr. Wascher will provide specific guidance on collar use based on your individual surgical plan and healing progress.