Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure completed in two parts. The first part includes removing a damaged cervical disc from between two vertebrae. Since the removal of this disc relieves nerve pressure, it is also sometimes referred to as anterior cervical decompression. After the disc has been removed, the second part of the surgery deals with placing a bone graft where the disc was in order to fuse the two vertebrae together and provide spinal stabilization.
Did You Know?
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has a high amount of success in eliminating or reducing pain in the neck and arm caused by damaged cervical discs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery?
You may be a candidate for ACDF surgery if you have a symptomatic cervical herniated disc, cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical spinal stenosis, or cervical bone spurs caused by arthritis. Symptoms such as pain, weakness, or numbness in your arms can indicate one of these conditions is present. To find out if anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Pranay Patel at one of our South Bay, Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Manhattan Beach locations.
What can I expect when having an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at Ocean Spine with Dr. Pranay Patel?
You can expect your ACDF surgery to be performed at a hospital or surgical center under general anesthesia. The first part of your surgery (discectomy) will be performed by making an incision in the front of your neck to access the affected area. Any bone spurs or damaged discs will then be removed from this area.
The second part of the surgery (fusion) will then be performed by placing a bone graft into the empty spaces left by the removed tissues. Bone grafts may be obtained from your bone, a donor, or using a synthetic bone graft compound. Once the bone graft has been placed, titanium plates and screws will be placed on the affected vertebrae to provide additional support until the bone graft has healed. The incision will then be closed with sutures.
What can I expect after having anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?
After your surgery, you will wake up in recovery where you will be monitored as the effects of the anesthesia wear off. Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may go home the same day or you may spend a night in the hospital. Oftentimes, you must be able to sit up, move, and walk in order to be discharged.
As you start the recovery process, it is normal to have some pain. Dr. Pranay Patel will provide you with the necessary pain medications to manage any post-operative discomfort. You will also be provided with a list of instructions to follow until you have recovered. Generally, these include guidelines on wearing a neck brace, attending physical therapy, and avoiding activities that strain your neck. While most patients recover in about 4-6 weeks, it takes a full 12-18 months for the neck to completely fuse. Because of this, there may be certain activity restrictions that last longer than 4-6 weeks.