Cervical Discectomy Fusion

Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI)

Neurological Surgery & Neurointerventional Surgeons located in Pomona, CA & Arcadia, CA

When medical treatments no longer provide relief from your herniated disc or degenerative disc disease that affects your cervical spine, you may need cervical discectomy fusion. At Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) in Pomona and Arcadia, California, the neurological surgery experts use advanced tools and techniques when performing cervical discectomy fusion, so you get the best possible outcomes. Schedule a neurosurgical consultation by calling the office or requesting one online today.

Cervical Discectomy Fusion Q & A

What is a cervical discectomy fusion?

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A cervical discectomy fusion, also known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), is a procedure that removes a damaged disc in the cervical spine (neck) and fuses the bones together to stop painful movements.

Your cervical spine is the most flexible part of your spine, supporting the weight and movement of your head. Your cervical spine has several vertebral bones, each separated and cushioned by an intervertebral disc.

Damage or degeneration of these discs affects the structure and function of the spine, which may compress or pinch your spinal cord or nerve root, causing pain.

Cervical discectomy fusion addresses the disc damage causing your pain to ease symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Am I a candidate for a cervical discectomy fusion?

The neurosurgeons at INI conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine if you’re a candidate for a cervical discectomy fusion. Though one of the top-rated neurological surgical centers in the area, they only recommend surgery when less invasive treatments are no longer effective.

They perform the spinal procedure to treat:

Cervical root compression
Cervical cord compression
An unhealthy disc in the cervical spine
Symptoms that no longer respond to conservative care

The surgeons only perform the procedure after confirming with imaging tests that your symptoms are the result of nerve or spinal cord compression in your cervical spine.

What happens during a cervical discectomy fusion?

Your neurosurgeon at Inland Neurosurgery Institute customizes your cervical discectomy fusion surgical plan and reviews the details of the procedure at your presurgery consultation.

During the procedure, your neurosurgeon removes the damaged disc through a small incision in the front of your neck (anterior), decompresses the nerves (making more space for the nerve), and fuses two or more of your cervical bones with a bone graft (bone from your hip) or fusion cage (bone from a donor).

Your neurosurgeon uses metal plates and screws to secure the bone graft, helping the bones to fuse together to form one solid bone.

In some patients, the team may perform a disc replacement using an artificial disc to replace your damaged cervical disc.

How long is recovery following a cervical discectomy fusion?

Recovery following cervical discectomy fusion varies. Your neurosurgeon provides specific instructions on activity and care following the procedure to speed up your recovery.

Most patients resume most of their usual activities about four to six weeks after the procedure.

To schedule a spine surgery consultation at Inland Neurosurgery Institute, call the office or request an appointment online today.

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