Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure for cervical radiculopathy, a pinched nerve in the neck. At Medicus Spine & Joint in Brunswick, Georgia, Mount Pleasant and Bluffton, South Carolina, and Gainesville, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville, Florida, the orthopedic spine surgeons perform ACDF. To schedule a consultation, call the office nearest you today or book online.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the primary surgery for cervical radiculopathy.
Cervical radiculopathy is a neck pain condition that occurs when you have compression or irritation of a spinal nerve as it exits the cervical spine. This “pinching” may happen if you have a herniated disk or bone spurs that affect the structure of the spine.
With cervical radiculopathy, you feel pain that radiates along the pathway of the nerve.
During the procedure, your orthopedic spine surgeon at Medicus Spine & Joint removes the damaged intervertebral disk or bone spurs and fuses the vertebral bones into one bone, stopping painful movement and restoring spine stability.
Your orthopedic spine surgeon at Medicus Spine & Joint determines if you need ACDF after a consultation. They may only recommend spine surgery if conservative interventions fail to improve your pain, such as anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.
They also take into consideration the location and cause of your cervical radiculopathy and overall health.
Anterior means your orthopedic spine surgeon approaches your neck from the front of your body.
During your ACDF, your surgeon operates through a small incision made in the front of your neck. They use endoscopic tools that transmit images of your spine onto a computer monitor, so they don’t have to make large incisions.
Your surgeon removes the problematic disk or bone spurs and restores disk space so there’s more room for your spinal nerves. Then, they use bone grafting material to fuse the cervical bones together and stabilize the spine.
You may spend time at the hospital following your ACDF for the initial recovery period. Most patients can walk and eat the day after their procedure.
Though you may resume many of your usual activities within a few weeks, full recovery from ACDF takes four to six months. During this time, your provider at Medicus Spine & Joint sends you to physical therapy to support the healing process.
To find out if you’re a candidate for ACDF, call Medicus Spine & Joint or schedule a consultation online today.