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Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion (ACDF)

ACDF is the most commonly performed procedure to treat cervical radiculopathy. The procedure involves removing the problematic disk or bone spurs and then stabilizing the spine through spinal fusion.

The goals of ACDF are to:

• Restore alignment of the spine
• Maintain the space available for the nerve roots to leave the spine
• Limit motion across the degenerated segment of the spine

Procedure. An "anterior" approach means that the doctor will approach your neck from the front. He or she will operate through a 1- to 2-inch incision along the neck crease. The exact location and length of your incision may vary depending on your specific condition.

During the procedure, your doctor will remove the problematic disk and any additional bone spurs, if necessary. The disk space is restored to the height it was prior to the disk wearing out. This makes more room for the nerves to leave the spine and aids in decompression.

Spinal fusion. After the disk space has been cleared out, your doctor will use spinal fusion to stabilize your spine. Spinal fusion is essentially a "welding" process. The basic idea is to fuse together the vertebrae so that they heal into a single, solid bone. Fusion eliminates motion between the degenerated vertebrae and takes away some spinal flexibility. The theory is that if the painful spine segments do not move, they should not hurt.

All spinal fusions use some type of bone material, called a bone graft, to help promote the fusion. The small pieces of bone are placed into the space left where the disk has been removed. Sometimes larger, solid pieces are used to provide immediate structural support to the vertebrae.

In ACDF, bone graft material is used to fill in the space left after the disk has been removed.

Reproduced from Riew KD, McCulloch JA, Delamarter RB, An HS, Ahn NU: Microsurgery for degenerative conditions of the cervical spine. Instructional Course Lectures, vol. 52. Rosemont IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2003, pp. 497-508.

In some cases, the doctor may implant a metal, plastic, or bone spacer between the two adjoining vertebrae. This spacer, or "cage," usually contains bone graft material to allow a spinal fusion to occur between the two vertebrae.

After the bone graft is placed or the cage is inserted, your doctor will use metal screws and plates to increase the rate of fusion and further stabilize the spine.

An anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion from the side (left) and front (right). Plates and screws are used to provide stability and increase the rate of fusion.

Bone graft sources.  The bone graft will come from either your own bone (autograft) or from a donor (allograft). If an autograft is used, the bone is usually taken from your hip area. Harvesting the bone graft from your hip requires an additional incision during your surgery. It lengthens surgical time and may cause increased pain after the operation. 

If only a small amount of bone is needed, your doctor may be able to use the bone spurs removed from your neck as the autograft. The bone is essentially recycled; it is moved from an area where it is no longer needed to the area that the surgeon wants to fuse. Your doctor will talk to you about the advantages and disadvantages of using an autograft versus an allograft, as well as a traditional bone graft versus a cage.

Most autografts are harvested from the iliac crest of the hip.

Artificial Disk Replacement (ADR)

This procedure involves removing the degenerated disk and replacing it with artificial parts, as is done in hip or knee replacement. The goal of disk replacement is to allow the spinal segment to keep some flexibility and maintain more normal motion.

Similar to ACDF, your doctor will use an "anterior" approach for the surgery—making a 1- to 2-inch incision along the neck crease. The exact location and length of your incision may vary depending on your specific condition.

During the surgery, your doctor will remove your problematic disk and then insert an artificial disk implant into the disk space. The implant is made of all metal or metal and plastic. It is designed to maintain the motion between the vertebrae after the degenerated disk has been removed. The implant may help restore the height between the vertebrae and widen the passageway for the nerve roots to exit the spinal canal.

Side and front view of patient with artificial disk replacement.

Reproduced from Rihn JA, Lawrence J, Gates C, Harris E., Hilibrand AS: Adjacent segment disease after cervical spine fusion. Instructional Course Lectures, Vol. 58. Rosemont IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2009, pp. 747-756.

Although no longer considered a new technology, the development of ADR is more recent than that of ACDF. To date, the outcomes of ADR surgery are promising and are comparable to that of ACDF surgery. The long-term outcomes are still being researched.

ADR may be an option for you—depending on the type and location of your problem. Your doctor will talk with you about your options.

Posterior Cervical Laminoforaminotomy

"Posterior" refers to the back part of your body. In this procedure, the doctor will make a 1- to 2-inch incision along the midline of the back of the neck. The exact location and size of your scar may vary depending on your condition.

During a posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy, the doctor uses a burr and other specialized tools to thin down the lamina—the bony arch that forms the backside of the spinal canal. Removing this allows the doctor better access to the damaged nerve.

He or she then removes the bone, bone spurs, and tissues that are compressing the nerve root. If your compression is due to a herniated disk, your doctor will remove the portion of the disk that is compressing the nerve, as well.

In posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy, the doctor uses specialized instruments to thin down the lamina to gain better access to the nerve.

Reproduced and modified from Riew KD, McCulloch JA, Delamarter RB, An HS, Ahn NU: Microsurgery for degenerative conditions of the cervical spine. Instructional Course Lectures, Vol. 52. Rosemont IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2003, pp. 497-508.

Unlike ACDF, posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy does not require spinal fusion to stabilize the spine. Because of this, you will maintain better range of motion in your neck and your recovery will be quicker.

The procedure can be performed as open surgery, in which your doctor uses a single, larger incision to access your spine. It can also be done using a minimally invasive method, where several smaller incisions are made. Your doctor will discuss with you whether posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy is an option for you and, if so, how the surgery will be performed.

General Risks

The possible risks and complications for any cervical spine surgery include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Nerve injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Reaction to anesthesia
• The need for additional surgery in the future
• Failure to relieve symptoms
• Tear of the sac covering the nerves (dural tear)
• Life-threatening medical problems, such as heart attack, lung complications, or stroke

Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion and Artificial Disk Replacement Risks

There are additional potential risks and complications when an anterior approach is used in spine surgery. They include:

• Misplaced, broken, or loosened plates, screws, or implants
• Soreness or difficulty with swallowing
• Voice changes
• Breathing difficulty
• Injury to the esophagus
• Pain at the site the bone was taken from—if an autograft is used
• Nonunion of the spinal fusion (in ACDF)

Physical Therapy

Usually by 4 to 6 weeks, you can gradually begin to do range-of-motion and strengthening exercises. Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy during the recovery period to help you regain full function.

Return to Work

Most people are able to return to a desk job within a few days to a few weeks after surgery. They may be able to return to full activities by 3 to 4 months, depending on the procedure. For some people, healing may take longer.