Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion is a surgical procedure recommended typically for patients with neck pain and/or arm pain, numbness/tingling, or weakness.  The goals of surgery may differ depending on the patient but may include stabilizing the cervical spine, taking pressure off of the spinal cord and/or nerves, and improving neck posture.  The surgery is performed through a small incision in the front of the neck, off to the side. The cervical disc(s), herniations, and/or bone spurs are removed, and an implant is put in place of the disc, along with bone graft/fusion material.  A plate and screws are placed on the front of the spine to hold the implants in place while the fusion heals. For this surgery, rarely patients also require a surgery in the back of the neck, called a posterior cervical fusion, and this would be performed separately during the same hospitalization, usually a day apart.