Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

ACDF is a minimally invasive procedure that relieves pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves.

In between every vertebra is a spongy material—called a disc—that maintains the space between the bones of your spine. From injury or aging, this spongy disc material can sometimes become soft and squeeze against the spinal cord and or nerves. This is called disc herniation.

The ACDF procedure removes the herniated disc, relieving the pressure on the spinal cord, nerves, or both. During the surgery, the disc is replaced with a spacer to protect the vertebrae. The two bones are then fixed together with a plate and screws to stabilize the spine during the healing process.

Often an outpatient procedure, ACDF is performed through a cosmetic incision. The procedure also uses a muscle sparing approach, which can minimize blood loss and discomfort, while shortening recovery times. Watch a video on how ACDF works.

If you are scheduled for an ACDF procedure or are caring for a patient who is, download pre-operative and post-operative forms and instructions.

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