Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)
- A common, reliable operation for herniated discs and bone spurs in the neck that compress the spinal cord or nerve roots
- Symptoms typically include arm pain, numbness, or weakness, and in more severe cases problems with balance and hand coordination
- Performed through a small incision in the front of the neck, avoiding the neck muscles in the back; the damaged disc is removed and the nerves are decompressed
- The disc space is reconstructed with a spacer and small plate, allowing the two vertebrae to fuse together
- Most patients go home the same day or after one night, with arm pain often improving immediately
- Decades of experience have made ACDF one of the most successful and well-studied operations in spine surgery
