The spine is divided into three distinct units. The neck is called the cervical spine. Removing one or more discs between the bones of the cervical spine is called a discectomy.
The disc can be removed from the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the neck. The preferred method is to do an anterior cervical discectomy. The doctor makes a cut or incision at the front of the neck and pulls apart the muscles and bones. A special tool is used to remove the disc.
Overgrown or damaged cartilage and bone spurs are also removed. The doctor uses a cutting tool called a curette or a high-speed drill for this. Many doctors fuse the neck after discectomy. Only the sections where the discs are removed get fused. Bone chips or a special cage is used to hold the cervical spine in its natural position. This gives the neck the support and structure it needs to function.