Objective To examine the effect of early cervical static exercise on postoperative axial symptoms in patients after cervical fusion surgery. Methods A total of 120 patients admitted to the hospital from April to August 2017 were seen as the control group, who received routine care, and another 120 patients admitted to the hospital from September to February 2017 in January 2017 were assigned into the intervention group, who additionally received early cervical static exercise. The neck discomfort scores, cervical range of motion (ROM), Barthel index scores, were measured on the 1st, 3rd, 5th postoperative days, as well as the 3rd postoperative month; incidence rates of axial symptoms were compared on the 3rd postoperative month. Results The neck discomfort scores on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th postoperative days were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.05 for all). On the 1st, 3rd, and 5th postoperative days, ROM of cervical flexion, extension and lateral flexion in the intervention group were significantly greater than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The Barthel index scores on the 3rd and 5th postoperative days were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.01 for both). The incidence rate of axial symptoms in the intervention group on the 3rd postoperative month was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Early cervical static exercise can improve neck discomfort of patients after cervical fusion surgery, enhance cervical ROM, promote the recovery of self-care ability, and reduce the occurrence of axial symptoms.