- This surgery is done from the back of the neck. This procedure is indented to relieve the pressure on pinched nerves (nerve roots) in the neck that causes arm pain. When the problem is limited to one or two nerves, this surgery can be done minimally invasively using small tubes. Because the incision involved is very small (less than 2 cm), most patients will be able to go home within 24 hours and resume the usual level of activity in a few weeks.