Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion helps relieve neck and radiating arm pain by removing pressure on the nerve roots. The procedure is typically used to treat a herniated or diseased disc.
An incision is made in the front of the neck and the damaged portion of the disc is removed. The space above and below the disc is prepared for the bone graft. The graft is placed between the vertebrae and a metal plate may be placed to secure the bones as they heal. The bone graft and vertebrae fuse together and form a bone mass.
Advantages of the minimally invasive ACDF procedure over traditional spine surgery include smaller incision and less disruption to muscle tissue. This procedure is generally performed in an outpatient setting or 23 hour stay.
