Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy of early surgical intervention of acute incomplete cervical spinal cord injury and the selection of operative modes. Methods The clinical data of 462 patients incomplete cervical spinal cord injury, who were treated in our hospital from January 2003 to May 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 387 cases in the operation group (283 received anterior cervical decompression and bone graft fusion and internal fixation, 26 received anterior and posterior decompression, and 78 received simple posterior decompression) and 75 cases in non-operative group. The neurological function recovery of cervical spinal cord injury was evaluated by Frankel classification and ASIA scoring criteria. Results The patients were followed up for 12-27 months. The results showed that the Frankel classification was improved to different degrees in 432 cases, with an improvement rate of 93.51%. The improvement rate of operative treatment group was 98.45%, which was higher than that of the non-operative group (68.00%). The ASIA scores of both groups were increased after treatment (P<0.05), and the increase in the operation group was greater than the non-operation group (P<0.05). In addition, the ASIA improvement of the anterior and anterior plus posterior approach surgery was greater than that of the simple posterior approach surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion Early surgical intervention should be given to acute incomplete cervical spinal cord injury so as to promote the neuronal function recovery.