What is Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion?

The cervical spine connects the skull to upper back and protects the spinal cord. Intervertebral discs lie between cervical vertebrae C1-C7 and help facilitate movement and reduce the load placed directly on the bone. Damaged discs that cause neck and/or upper extremity pain sometimes require surgery. An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) are performed as follows:

• Incision. A small incision is made on the throat.
• Exposure. Muscles are gently retracted so the cervical spine can be viewed.
• Discectomy. Tiny instruments are used to carefully remove the damaged disc.
• Implant insertion. A bone graft packed spacer is inserted between adjacent vertebrae.
• Fusion. Rods or plates and screws are used to fixate adjacent vertebrae.

Nerve compression symptom relief may occur very quickly because the nerve is no longer compressed after surgery. Pain relief occurs as bone graft fuses with existing bone to form a single solid vertebra.

What Conditions Does Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Treat?

A herniated disc is a disc that slips or protrudes into the spinal canal and pinches a spinal nerve root. Symptoms of a cervical herniated disc include:

• Neck pain
• Numbness
• Upper extremity pain
• Weakness

An ACDF is usually recommended to treat a severely herniated disc that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment options. Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey board-certified and fellowship-trained spine specialists Dr. Ramil Bhatnager, Dr. Joel Goldstein and Dr. Michael Lospinuso perform ACDF procedures. If you experience herniated disc symptoms, please do not delay a diagnosis. Contact Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey to make an appointment.