What Is ACDF?
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion treats a herniated or degenerated cervical disc through a small incision in the front of the neck. The damaged disc is removed and replaced with a bone graft or spacer that promotes fusion, and the vertebrae above and below are typically secured with a small titanium plate and screws while the fusion heals. ACDF can also address spinal stenosis, certain fractures, and other structural cervical conditions.
Who It's For
ACDF is typically recommended for patients with chronic neck pain, arm or hand weakness, numbness or tingling, or balance and coordination changes related to a cervical disc problem that hasn't responded to conservative treatment. It remains the workhorse procedure for cervical disease involving significant facet arthritis, instability, or multilevel involvement — situations where fusion, rather than motion preservation, is the more durable solution.
How the Procedure Is Performed
Performed under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes a small incision in the front of the neck and gently moves muscles and soft tissue aside to reach the spine. The damaged disc is removed with specialized instruments to decompress the nerve or spinal cord, and a bone graft or synthetic spacer is placed in the empty disc space to promote fusion. A titanium plate and screws stabilize the vertebrae above and below while the bone heals.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Patients are typically monitored in the hospital for a few hours to a single overnight stay. A neck brace or soft collar may be worn for several weeks to support healing, and physical therapy often follows to restore strength and mobility. Over the following months, the bone graft fuses with the adjacent vertebrae, creating a solid, stable segment that relieves nerve pressure and provides long-term symptom relief.