Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

ACDF is one of the most commonly performed spine procedures. Through a small incision in the front of the neck, a damaged or herniated disc is removed, the nerve or spinal cord is decompressed, and the two adjacent vertebrae are fused together — usually with a small spacer and a plate.

ACDF is typically considered when a cervical disc herniation or spur is compressing a nerve root or the spinal cord, causing arm pain, numbness, weakness, or signs of myelopathy — and when conservative treatment has not provided adequate relief.

ACDF is a well-established procedure with a strong track record, but it's not the right answer for every cervical problem. The decision depends on where the compression is, how many levels are involved, whether the problem is primarily anterior, and what the patient's long-term goals are. In some situations, a posterior approach or disc replacement may be more appropriate.

• Hoarseness or swallowing difficulty (usually temporary)
• Nerve or spinal cord injury
• Nonunion (failure of the fusion to heal)
• Hardware loosening or migration
• Adjacent segment degeneration over time
• Infection

Most patients go home the same day or the next morning. A soft collar may be used for comfort. Return to light activity is usually within a few weeks, with full recovery over two to three months depending on the number of levels treated.