Cervical spine dysfunctions are treated mainly through fusion surgery or decompression surgery. They can be performed through three different approaches:
Anterior (front):
The cervical spine is approached from the front. Surgeons may prefer the anterior approach since it makes it easier to maintain the normal alignment of the spine.
Posterior (back):
The posterior approach may be preferred by some spine surgeons for a cervical discectomy. It can also confer an advantage for spine fusion surgery because the disc does not need to be removed before the surgery.