ACDF
ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion) is a surgical procedure used to treat nerve compression in the cervical spine (neck) caused by conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.
Here’s how it works:
Anterior approach: The surgeon accesses the spine from the front of the neck.
Discectomy: The damaged disc between two vertebrae is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Fusion: A bone graft or spacer is placed in the disc space to maintain normal spacing and promote fusion. Plates and screws may be added for stability.
The goal of ACDF is to relieve neck and arm pain, numbness, and weakness, while restoring spinal alignment and stability. Fusion takes several weeks to months to fully occur.
