If you suffer from a damaged or degenerated cervical disc, your life is being disrupted every day by pain, weakness, tingling, and/or numbness. All of these symptoms can appear in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands as a result of the swollen or herniated disc material, or a bone spur in your neck pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. If lifestyle changes, exercises, physical therapy, manipulative therapies, or epidural steroid injections have not addressed the problem, it may be time to consider surgery: an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, or ACDF.
What Is an Anterior Discectomy?
A discectomy is the surgical removal of a damaged or degenerated disc and/or bone spurs to relieve pressure and alleviate the painful symptoms. The word “anterior” means “front.” Therefore, in an anterior discectomy, the surgeon approaches the abnormal disc from the front of the body. Performing the surgery this way has a key advantage: it is much less invasive. There are fewer muscles to cut, leading to less postoperative pain and a quicker recovery for the patient.
What Is Surgical Fusion?
Fusion is a surgical procedure that stabilizes the surrounding vertebrae. Done immediately after the discectomy, it involves placing bone grafts or implants where the disc was originally located, to provide stability and strength to the area. As your surgeon, I will assess your condition and review all your options with you before your ACDF to determine the best treatment option for you.
Cervical discectomy is one of the two most common types of spine surgery, the other being lumbar (low back). ACDF is a major surgery, and not without risks and potential complications, but it is a common surgery with a high success rate.
Dr. Jonathan Hott, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon and spine specialist who practices in Phoenix, Arizona. He takes pride in his ability to listen to and relate to his patients.