Select City
If you have cervical pain and spine issues, you can benefit from ACDF surgery (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) for complete recovery. Book an appointment with the best spine doctor near you.
If you have cervical pain and spine issues, you can benefit from ACDF ... Read More
Free Consultation
Free Cab Facility
No-Cost EMI
Support in Insurance Claim
1-day Hospitalization
USFDA-Approved Procedure
ACDF surgery stands for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery. It is generally performed in patients with disc herniation or degeneration in the neck region. During the surgery, an incision is made over the throat region to remove the affected disc and replace it with a fusion graft to fuse the vertebral bones above and below the operated disc.
Normally, the cervical spine is not stable enough to undergo laminectomy or discectomy alone, and fusion surgery is recommended for all patients to maintain cervical spine integrity. Depending on the complexity and type of surgery, severity of condition, and other factors, there are three types of grafts commonly used – autograft bone, allograft bone, and bone graft substitute.
Fill details to get actual cost
Pristyn Care is one of the best surgery providers for orthopedic treatment in India. It provides surgical treatment for over 40 specialities – including spine surgery. Pristyn Care has tie-ups with some of the best spine surgeons in India, along with tie-ups with some of the best orthopedic clinics and hospitals. Along with this, we provide auxiliary services like dedicated care coordinator, cab service, meal services, etc. during the treatment to make the treatment journey smooth and seamless.
ACDF surgery is generally considered necessary if a patient has severe cervical disc herniation or bulging as shown by the diagnostic and imaging scans. It is also suggested if the patient has severe neck pain, along with transferred pain in the hand or arm.
Though very effective and beneficial, surgery is considered the last treatment option in patients where conservative treatment options like steroid injections, physical therapy, etc., have failed to provide any significant relief.
Surgery is a pretty significant decision so before getting the surgery, make sure you get a second or third opinion from multiple orthopedic and spine specialists to ensure you need it. Your surgeon will also consult with you regarding the best graft option for you.
Before the surgery, your orthopedist will inspect your entire medical history, including your allergies, medicines, chronic health problems, previous treatments, medications, etc., to prepare for the surgery accordingly. Make sure your surgeon is aware of all the medicines and supplements you are taking. You may need to stop NSAIDs, blood thinners, herbal supplements, etc., if there is a chance they can lead to complications during the surgery. If you smoke or drink alcohol, then you need to stop both before the surgery, as they can slow down the healing and cause anesthesia-related complications respectively.
Diet & Lifestyle Consultation
Post-Surgery Follow-Up
Free Cab Facility
24*7 Patient Support
Before the surgery, a thorough diagnosis is necessary to ensure whether the surgery is necessary and to determine the type of surgery needed. The most common diagnostic tests performed before ACDF surgery are imaging tests like spine X-ray, MRI, CT scans, etc.
Surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia, so you will have to stop eating anything after midnight on the day of the surgery. On arriving at the hospital, your attendant will perform your pre-surgery vital signs checkup and provide antibacterial soap and sterilized gowns so you can prepare yourself for the surgery.
The surgery generally lasts around 1-3 hours depending on the type and complexity of the operation. During the surgery, you will be laid on your back, and your neck area will be cleansed. If the surgery is being performed using a self-graft, then the hip bone is also prepped for the same.
The incision is usually around 2 inches long. Once the incision is made, the surgeon will use a fluoroscope to locate the affected vertebral discs. The damaged discs will be removed and bone spurs pressing down on the nerve roots will be removed (called foraminotomy) to make more space for nerves to exit the spinal canal.
Finally, bone graft will be obtained, either from a cadaver or from the patient’s hip bone. The bone graft is placed on the operative region and fixed using a metal plate and screws. In some cases, an artificial disc may be used (disc replacement surgery), instead of graft for better spinal function, movement, and recovery.
During ACDF surgery, a bone graft or similar substitute is introduced between the operated discs to prevent cervical spine collapse. The graft is usually fixed using a metal plate and screws and over the next 3-6 months joins the vertebrae to form a single bone. Different types of grafts are:
ACDF surgery is very effective in providing relief for the following conditions:
After the surgery, the patient will be moved to a recovery area for monitoring and observation. Once you are awake, your neck and spine movement will be assessed. Most patients who undergo either 1 or 2 level fusion surgery will be able to go home within 24 hours of the surgery. Most patients can drive within 1-2 weeks of the surgery.
The recovery period after ACDF surgery generally lasts around 4-6 weeks with proper postoperative care. Make sure you follow all the post surgery tips prescribed by your orthopedic surgeon, such as:
ACDF surgery is generally very safe, especially when it is performed arthroscopically. However, in some cases, there may be complications like:
You should call your surgeon immediately if you notice any signs of postsurgical complications like fever, severe nausea or vomiting, drainage from the surgical site, unresolved rashes, itching, swelling of the surgical site, etc.
While ACDF surgery is generally very effective in reducing spinal pain, it is not a permanent treatment, especially if the patient doesn’t follow proper postoperative care and instructions. Recovery tips a patient should follow to attain complete recovery without complications and to prevent recurrence are:
Generally, ACDF surgery provides very good outcomes – over 90% patients have significant pain relief and improvement of spine function. However, in rare cases, the patient may have a relapse and may need further treatment.
ACDF surgery is a major surgery procedure with an extensive recovery period. Make sure you follow your surgeon’s pre and post operative instructions diligently to ensure complete recovery.
With proper care, the success rate of ACDF surgery lies between 93- 99% when it comes to pain relief.
No. While most patients experience significant improvement in neck and spine movement after the surgery, most patients experience a little stiffness and restricted vertebral motion due to fusion of 2 or more cervical vertebrae.
The overall recovery period following ACDF surgery depends on the type of surgery, patient’s overall health condition, etc., but most patients expect complete recovery within 4-6 weeks.
Level 2 ACDF surgery is the most common and involves the removal of 2 cervical discs followed by fusion. Similarly level 3 surgery involves the removal of 3 cervical vertebrae and level 4 surgery the removal of 4 vertebrae, followed by cervical fusion.
