I had a neck fusion about two months ago. I can't believe how many people I've met since then who've had the same thing. I never knew anybody who had this surgery before this happened to me. How common is it?

About 175,000 cervical (neck) spine fusions are done every year in the United States. And that only accounts for anterior fusions performed from the front of the neck. Many people have a posterior (from the back) fusion as well.

Most of these operations are done because of neck and arm pain and instability that occurs from degenerative disc disease. Just about half of these fusions are done at one single level. Some of these numbers may be patients who had a previous fusion and are back for a second one.

Whenever spinal fusion is done, stress and load are increased on the segments above and below the fusion. Increased motion at these levels causes accelerated degeneration. Areas affected include the disc between the vertebrae, the vertebral bones, and the joints between the fused and nonfused vertebrae.

Many studies are being done to find ways to help patients recover from disc problems without fusion. Preserving or maintaining motion is a key goal. But for now, surgical fusion is a widely accepted way to treat this problem.