ACDF
Treatment > Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)
What is ACDF Surgery?
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of neck surgery that involves removing a damaged disc to relieve spinal cord or nerve root pressure and alleviate corresponding pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. A discectomy is a form of surgical decompression, so the procedure may also be called an anterior cervical decompression.
ACDF may be done for one level, or for more than one level, of the cervical spine.
What are the Indications of ACDF ?
Neck pain
Pain radiating to arm
Numbness/ Weakness in upper limbs or lower limbs
Gait imbalance
Myelopathy Symptoms
Cervical spine fracture
Cervical spine deformity
How long does ACDF surgery take?
ACDF surgery can take one to two hours in most cases. However, it may take longer if there are multiple levels or ACDF surgery is planned with surgery of another region.
What are the benefits of ACDF surgery?
The main benefit of ACDF surgery is relief from pain or other symptoms that affect your quality of life. Many people report that they took fewer pain medications or eliminated the use of pain medications after surgery.
Are there any permanent restrictions after ACDF surgery?
The fusion part of ACDF surgery limits your flexibility between the affected bones in your neck, but only between the vertebrae that fused. In most cases, those vertebrae were not very flexible before the surgery. Many people don’t notice a change in their flexibility after surgery.
