Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion (ACDF) Surgery
Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) surgery is a procedure that helps reduce neck pain. During this surgery, a surgeon removes a damaged disc from the neck and then fuses your spine to make it more stable. ACDF is available from the back, neck and spine care specialists at Summit Orthopedics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
What Is ACDF Surgery?
The ACDF procedure is actually two surgeries done at the same time: a disc removal surgery (cervical discectomy) and a neck fusion surgery (cervical fusion).
First, the surgeon performs the cervical discectomy. They take out a damaged disc in your neck. These discs sit between the bones (called vertebrae) in your neck and help it bend and move smoothly.
After the disc is removed, the surgeon performs a cervical fusion. They replace the disc with healthy bone tissue, called a bone graft. As your neck heals, the bone graft and the surrounding vertebrae grow together into one solid piece.
ACDF is used mainly to treat the following problems:
- Herniated discs: A disc in your neck slips or tears, and its soft center pushes out.
- Bone spurs: Extra bits of bone, called osteophytes, can grow along the edges of your existing bones.
These issues can press on nearby nerves, ligaments or your spinal cord, causing problems like:
- Neck pain
- Numbness, tingling or weakness
- Stiffness
Benefits
ACDF can relieve pressure on pinched nerves or the spinal cord, which is often the cause of severe neck pain, numbness and weakness. By removing the source of compression, the surgery can reduce your pain and improve function in your neck and arms. This means feeling better, doing everyday activities and going back to work without pain or trouble moving.
Do I Need ACDF Surgery?
You might need ACDF surgery if other treatments—like medicine, physical therapy or steroid shots—haven’t helped your neck pain.
There are a few things that decide if ACDF surgery is right for you. Your surgeon will look at your health, age, diagnosis and what you want to do after the surgery.
What to Expect
ACDF surgery is a major procedure that requires general anesthesia. Once you’re asleep, your surgeon makes a small incision in front of your neck. They access your neck vertebrae and remove any damaged discs or bone spurs. They remove the damaged disc and replace it with a small bone graft, inserted into the space where the disc was. Your surgeon may also add small metal plates or screws to help hold the bones together.
The surgery usually takes about two hours. Since it’s a minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision, and the procedure takes less time than traditional neck surgery.
Risks
All surgeries, including ACDF, come with risks. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any possible risks, which can include:
- Blood clots
- Blood loss
- Bowel and bladder problems
- Complications from anesthesia
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Problems with the bone graft fusing correctly
Recovering After Surgery
Everyone’s neck surgery recovery time may look different, including how long you stay in the hospital. As a minimally invasive surgery, ACDF usually offers shorter recovery times. After surgery or the day after, you may be able to get up and walk. You may return to work in three to six weeks, depending on how well your body is healing and the type of work or activity level you plan to return to.
Your doctor will give you a personalized plan to follow after surgery. This will help you get back to your usual activities safely and as quickly as possible.
[H3] Rest
In the first few days after surgery, your focus will be on resting. You will have to avoid lifting, bending over and bending backward, but your doctor will encourage gentle movement, such as rotating your body. Your care team will go over which activities are safe and which to avoid.
Pain medication
Controlling your pain after ACDF surgery is key. You’ll likely need pain medication for a few weeks to months afterward.
Physical therapy
After ACDF surgery, you’ll likely start physical therapy (PT) to help you get better. Your physical therapist will teach you simple exercises to make your neck stronger and help you move better. PT helps reduce pain and swelling, too. The therapist will guide you in doing the exercises correctly so you can heal safely.
As you heal, the therapist will slowly add more exercises to improve your flexibility and strength. The therapist might use special treatments, like ice or heat, to help you feel more comfortable during recovery.
ACDF Surgery at Summit Orthopedics
Neck pain can make it hard to enjoy work, hobbies or everyday activities. At Summit Orthopedics, our expert surgeons are here to help with ACDF surgery, a procedure designed to reduce your pain and improve your quality of life. If you think ACDF surgery might be right for you, we’re happy to help.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics back, neck and spine care expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
