Manning had a procedure called a single level anterior fusion. That involves making an incision at the front of the neck, without cutting any muscles. The disc is removed from the nerve and spinal cord. The surgeon then fills the open disc space with a bone graft. The graft acts as a bridge between the two vertebrae, creating a spinal fusion. Metal plates and screws are often used to hold the bone graft and vertebrae together.Full Story Story By The Chart/CNN.com Pic By: Getty Images
