Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is a surgery that typically lasts 1-2 hours, addressing damaged discs in the cervical spine causing neck and upper extremity pain. The procedure involves making a small incision, exposing the spine, removing the damaged disc, inserting a bone graft spacer, and fusing adjacent vertebrae using rods or plates.
Our experienced specialists will provide a personalized estimate of your surgery duration. ACDF aims to alleviate nerve compression symptoms quickly, leading to lasting pain relief as the bone graft fuses with the existing bone. Trust our informative, kind, authoritative, and professional team to ensure a safe and effective surgical experience tailored to your specific needs.
While the length of each procedure may vary from patient to patient, the typical Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery will take, on average, 1 to 2 hours. One of our specialists will be able to give you a better understanding of how long your specific surgery will take.
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:
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.
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:
An ACDF is usually recommended to treat a severely herniated disc that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment options. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained spine specialists perform ACDF procedures. If you experience herniated disc symptoms, please do not delay a diagnosis. Contact us to make an appointment.