What Is Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Instrumentation?
ACDFI is a common surgical procedure done to treat myelopathy, herniated discs, or other spinal conditions. This surgery combines spinal decompression and spinal fusion techniques to treat herniated discs, compressed nerves, or other conditions in the neck. This is a minimally invasive surgery that removes a herniated disc or degenerative disc via a discectomy, then an interbody device is placed in the intervertebral space. The interbody device, also commonly known as cage, has bone graft material within it that grows and hardens over time fusing the bones together. An instrumentation device such as a plate and screws will be used to help support and stabilizes the neck during healing.
Who Is a Candidate for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Instrumentation?
An ideal candidate for ACDFI is someone experiencing chronic neck pain, arm pain, or neurological deficits due to a herniated disc, cervical spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease that has not responded to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections. This procedure is particularly beneficial for patients with significant nerve compression causing symptoms like numbness, weakness, or difficulty with fine motor skills, who are otherwise in good health and have realistic expectations about the surgery and recovery process. The best way to determine your candidacy is by scheduling a consultation with one of our renowned surgeons.
The Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Instrumentation Procedure
During your procedure, you will be administered general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the entire duration of your surgery. To begin, your surgeon will make a small incision over the treatment area on either side of the neck. A retractor tool allows your surgeon direct access to the treatment area. Next, the diseased or damaged disc will be removed to reduce pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root. An interbody device with graft material taken from the patient’s own body, donated, or synthetic material is inserted where the damaged disc once was. Before closing your incisions, a metal plate and screws are placed over the bone graft to help support and stabilize the repair during your recovery. Due to ACDFI being a relatively minimally invasive procedure, the surgery is rather quick.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Instrumentation Results and Recovery
ACDFI produces highly successful results when used to treat the appropriate cervical spine conditions. Recovery from anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with instrumentation is typically quick and involves a combination of rest, physical therapy, and a gradual return to normal activities. Patients should expect to spend at least one night in the hospital. Patients may need to wear a neck brace to support healing during their recovery. Mild daily activities such as bathing, light walking, and dressing can be resumed immediately after surgery. With permission from your doctor, light, low-impact physical exercise can be resumed shortly after. Physical therapy is crucial to regain strength and mobility of the neck. Over the course of 8-16 weeks, you will gradually be able to resume your normal activities.
Schedule a Consultation
SpineCare of NY is world renowned for developing significant and meaningful innovations in the realm of spine health and is proud to be affiliated with the Hospital for Special Surgery, the top-ranked orthopedic hospital in the United States. To learn more about procedures like ACDFI and if it can help you experience relief, schedule a consultation with one of our physicians today.
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