Negative side effects are relatively minimal in cervical spine surgeries. But with any procedure, there come a number of inherent risks. For this procedure in particular, patients may want to consider the following:
A cervical fusion will limit some ability to look straight up or down by extending or flexing the neck.
(Rotation of the head to the right or left is not affected by this surgery.)
A bone stimulator may also need to be worn after surgery to assist with this bone regeneration.
Patients may experience a sore throat or difficulty swallowing immediately after the procedure.