This surgery removes a herniated or diseased disc and relieves neck and radiating arm pain caused by parts of the disc pressing on the nerve roots. The surgeon performs and incision on the front of the neck. The surgeon then removes the diseased or damaged disc. This helps to  alleviate pain. Next, the space above and below the disc is cleared and prepared for a vertebral spacer. A bone graft material is inserted into the spacer, and the implant is placed between the vertebrae. The  surgeon may then screw a small metal plate over the area to hold the bones in place while the vertebrae heal. During the healing process, the vertebral bone above and below the spacer will knit together to form a new bone mass called a fusion.