Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion (ACDF)
Treatment Options:
Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion (ACDF)
Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion is a surgical procedure that involves relieving the pressure placed on nerve roots and/or the spinal cord by a herniated disc or bone spurs in the neck – a condition referred to as nerve root compression.What Is Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion?
Cervical refers to the 7 vertebrae of the neck. Discs are the spongy, cartilaginous pads between each vertebra, and ectomy means “to take out”. In a cervical discectomy, the surgeon accesses the cervical spine through a small incision in the neck and removes all or part of the disc – and/or in some cases bone material – that’s pressing on the nerves and causing pain. Spinal fusion involves placing bone graft between two or more affected vertebrae to promote bone growth between the vertebral bodies. The graft material acts as a binding medium and also helps maintain normal disc height – as the body heals, the vertebral bone and bone graft eventually grow together to join the vertebrae and stabilize the spine.Why Do I Need This Procedure?
If you have a herniated disc, this means that the nucleus pulposus – the soft, gel-like center of the disc – has pushed through the annulus fibrosus, the disc’s tough, outer ring. Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, can form when the joints of the spine calcify. Pressure placed on nerve roots, ligaments or the spinal cord by a herniated disc or bone spur may cause:- Pain in the neck and/or arms
- Lack of coordination
- Numbness or weakness in the arms, forearms or fingers.
