Cervical ACDF Surgery
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion — the gold standard for cervical disc disease and neck-related arm pain.
Overview
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is a well-established surgical procedure for treating cervical disc herniations, cervical stenosis, and degenerative disc disease in the neck. By accessing the spine through a small incision in the front of the neck, Dr. Patel removes the damaged disc and fuses the adjacent vertebrae to restore stability and relieve nerve compression.
When to Consider This Treatment
- Neck pain radiating to the arm or hand
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or fingers
- Weakness in grip strength or arm function
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks
- Cervical myelopathy with balance issues
Dr. Patel's Approach
Dr. Patel performs ACDF through a minimally invasive anterior approach that preserves neck muscles. The procedure uses a titanium or PEEK interbody cage with bone graft to achieve solid fusion. Hospital stay is typically 1-2 days. Most patients experience immediate relief of arm pain after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about cervical acdf surgery
How long does ACDF surgery take?+
A single-level ACDF typically takes 1-2 hours. Dr. Patel uses intraoperative neuromonitoring throughout the procedure for maximum safety.
Will I lose neck mobility after ACDF?+
For single or two-level fusions, the loss of motion is minimal and most patients do not notice any functional limitation. Adjacent segments compensate well.
What is recovery like after ACDF?+
Most patients return to desk work in 2-3 weeks. Physical activities resume gradually over 6-12 weeks. A soft collar may be used for comfort in the initial weeks.