Posterior Cervical Fusion (PCF)

We use posterior cervical fusion to treat a variety of cervical conditions and reduce neck pain.

Posterior Cervical Fusion (PCF)

We use posterior cervical fusion to treat a variety of cervical conditions and reduce neck pain.

Advanced Treatment for Neck Pain

Posterior cervical fusion is a type of spine surgery that joins two or more bones in your neck (vertebrae). We often use this approach to treat broken bones or spinal cord damage. We also use it to treat nerve pain, neck tumors, infections or deformities.

Our spine surgeons perform this surgery through the back of your neck. We place new bone (graft) along the side of your spine, securing it with screws and rods. This procedure stabilizes the bones in your neck. Over time, the graft connects the bones.

Sometimes, surgeons may also need to decompress the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This is called a posterior cervical laminectomy. Nerve pressure can be caused by arthritis, herniated discs (a problem with the cushioning between vertebrae) or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).  Your surgeon can provide you with an alternative procedure to decompress your spinal cord and preserve cervical spinal motion, which is called a cervical laminoplasty.

Most people spend two to three days in the hospital after surgery. Your physical therapist and occupational therapist will show you how to get in and out of bed on your own safely and make sure you know how to protect your neck during recovery. If a neck brace is recommended, one will be provided for you prior to leaving the hospital.

When to See a Spine Surgeon

Trusted Expertise in Neck Surgery

As an academic health center, our surgeons have the experience to perform even the most complex spine and neck surgeries — people seek us out for our advanced expertise.

Blue Cross Blue Shield recognizes us as a Blue Distinction Center, which means you can be confident your care team is known for exceptional care.

You benefit from a team of spine specialists — spine surgeons, physical therapists and pain management experts — to make sure you get complete care.

Before you leave the hospital, your physical therapist will show you safe neck movements and explain what to do during your recovery.

Ram Kiran Alluri, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Specialties
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

Thomas C. Chen, MD, PhD

Accepting new patients
Professor of Neurological Surgery
Specialties
Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery, Brain Tumor  View more

Raymond J. Hah, MD

Accepting new patients
Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Specialties
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

Patrick C. Hsieh, MD

Accepting new patients
Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
Specialties
Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery

John C. Liu, MD

Accepting new patients
Professor of Neurosurgery
Specialties
Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery

Christopher C. Ornelas, MD

Accepting new patients
Chief of Spine Medicine, Director of USC Spine Medicine Serv …
Specialties
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Surgery, Pain Medicine  View more

Michael Safaee, MD

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor Of Clinical Neurological Surgery
Specialties
Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery

Mark J. Spoonamore, MD

Accepting new patients
Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Specialties
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

Gene Tekmyster, DO

Accepting new patients
Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery
Specialties
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine  View more

Jeffrey C. Wang, MD

Accepting new patients
Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery ( …
Specialties
Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

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