Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

The cervical region consists of the top seven (7) vertebrae of the spine. Cervical disc pain is often caused by a rupture or herniation of one or more of the cervical discs. This rupture causes the disc to dry up, and the disc loses its natural cushion. The disc then puts pressure on the nerve root or spinal cord, which causes pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms. Cervical disc herniation may be a result of aging, consistent stress, accident or trauma.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a widely used technique for the operative treatment of disc herniation, spinal tumors, spondylosis, and injuries. During this procedure a disc fragment (herniation), tumor, osteophytes or fracture fragments are removed from the spinal canal, allowing the surgeon to treat a nerve root or spinal cord compression -- eliminating neck and arm pain.

The anterior cervical discectomy is the most common procedure to treat damaged cervical discs. The ruptured disc is approached from the front of the neck (anterior), and the goal is to relieve the pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord by removing the disc. In order to maintain the normal disc space after removal, the surgeon may fill the space with a bone graft and fuse the vertebrae together. The spine is stabilized through this fusion, and depending on the herniation the surgeon may consider other stabilizing instrumentation such as plates.

ACDF is recommended when conservative nonsurgical treatment measures have failed and patients continue to experience neck and/or arm pain. This technique has been successful even if the patient has had prior surgery and often there are few complications. Recovery and a return to normal activity usually take about three months.

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