Just an FYI, I had both lumbar and cervical fusions in late 2011, with titanium cages, screws, etc. It will still place more stress force above and below the fusion site, because the normal mobility of the spine is “lost” in those areas. I now have problems below my previous lumbar fusion and both above and below my neck fusion (it was two levels, my back was also 2 levels). It’s just a not unheard of “eventual” side effect...at this point, I tolerate it and have refused further major surgery (more fusion levels).