Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgery to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck. An incision is made in the throat area to reach and remove the disc. A graft is inserted to fuse together the bones above and below the disc. ACDF surgery may be an option if physical therapy or medications fail to relieve your neck or arm pain caused by pinched nerves. Patients typically go home the same day.

Two Parts of Surgery:-

• Anterior cervical discectomy The surgery is approached through the anterior, or front, of the cervical spine (neck). The disc is then removed from between two vertebral bones. See Cervical Spine Anatomy
• Fusion A fusion surgery is done at the same time as the discectomy operation in order to stabilize the cervical segment. A fusion involves placing bone graft and/or implants where the disc originally was in order to provide stability and strength to the area.

You may be a candidate for discectomy if you have:

• a herniated or degenerative disc
• significant weakness in your hand or arm
• arm pain that is worse than neck pain
• symptoms that have not improved with physical therapy or medication

ACDF may be helpful in treating the following conditions:

• Herniated disc: the rubbery center of the disc can bulge or rupture through a weak area in the wall (annulus). Pain and swelling occurs when this material presses on a nerve.
• Degenerative disc disease: the drying and shrinkage of discs with age. As the disc thins, the vertebrae bones rub and pinch the nerves. These changes can lead to canal stenosis, bone spurs, or disc herniation.
• Cervical stenosis / myelopathy: narrowing of the canal through which the spinal cord passes. CSM is caused by bulging discs, enlarged facet joints and thickened ligaments. Pain, weakness of the arms / legs, and walking problems arise from spinal cord compression.