Hello @daveintexas and accept my belated welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can see you are interested in connecting with others to learn more about the order in which surgeries address kyphosis and bulging discs.

I would like to bring @ohiogirl @steeldove @lotsofpain @dexan @kayskid @irene5 and @jackl into this discussion as they have also talked about dealing with kyphosis.

How long ago was your MRI?

@daveintexas Sometimes spine surgeons do a cervical curvature correction along with fusing segments after removing bad discs. The curvature correction can be instrumentation with rods and screws similar to what is done on the lower spine. There is no one answer to this question because every case is different and a spine expert needs to make a recommendation. I had a single level fusion at C5/C6 with a bone spacer. My surgeon told me that it tends to make the neck dump forward just a bit which makes sense because it replaces a flexible disk with rigid bone, so you loose the ability to move that in any direction. I didn't notice any real difference in my movement since before surgery since C5/C6 doesn't play much of a role in head turning ability at all. The question of correcting kyphosis is because of the condition of the discs and bony growth that allowed the spine to permanently bend forward in the first place, so it isn't a separate issue. I did have straightening of the lordotic curve due to muscle spasms prior to surgery, and since surgery, I have had a normal curve. I only had one level damaged. With multiple levels involved, there is more pathology to allow kyphosis to happen.