ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY & FUSION (ACDF):

When non-operative treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy or Cervical Spondylosis has failed an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) may be considered. This procedure removes a disc tissue (discectomy) approaching the neck (cervical) from the front (anterior). The disc is replaced by a spacer that is filled with bone graft. Typically, a plate is attached to the front of the cervical spine to secure the interbody fusion spacer and to facilitate spinal fusion.

An ACDF is designed to surgically remove encroaching tissues over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root to give the nerve root more space to reduce pain.

MRI scan (top panel) showing central and foraminal spinal stenosis due to herniated disc at C5/6, anteroposterior & lateral xrays after C5/6 ACDF.

Surgeons at the Center for Advanced Spinal Surgery of Southern Arizona typically perform this operation through a midline incision in the lower back. Often patients are able to go home after an overnight stay. Sometimes, patients need to stay longer for pain control and observation. Please check out our postop instructions for cervical spinal surgery.

Please call us for an appointment if you are having unrelenting arm, shoulder and neck pain sensitive to positioning of the head that has not improved with physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain medication, spinal injections, and watchful waiting. We would be glad to render an opinion as to whether a Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion could reduce your symptoms and improve your function. Please see what one of our patients had to say after this surgery.

PLEASE CONTACT US AT:

Center for Advanced Spinal Surgery of Southern Arizona, 4787 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson AZ 85712

Re: Lumbar Laminectomy

Phone: 520-204-1495, Fax: 623-218-1215

Email us: info@southernarizonaspine.com