Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion

What Is Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion?

Spinal fusion involves placing bone graft between two or more affected vertebrae to promote bone growth between the vertebral bodies. The graft material acts as a binding medium and also helps maintain normal disc height – as the body heals, the vertebral bone and bone graft eventually grow together to join the vertebrae and stabilize the spine.

Why Do I Need This Procedure?

Anterior Cervical Discectomy w/ Fusion

Pressure placed on nerve roots, ligaments or the spinal cord by a herniated disc or bone spur may cause:

• Pain in the neck and/or arms
• Lack of coordination
• Numbness or weakness in the arms, forearms or fingers.

Pressure placed on the spinal cord as it passes through the cervical spine can be serious, since most of the nerves for rest of the body (e.g., arms, chest, abdomen, legs) must pass through the neck from the brain. A cervical discectomy can ease pressure on the nerves, ultimately providing pain relief.

An anterior cervical discectomy with spinal fusion is typically recommended only after non-surgical treatment methods fail. Your surgeon will take a number of factors into consideration before making this recommendation, including the condition to be treated, your age, health and lifestyle and your anticipated level of activity following surgery. Please discuss this treatment option thoroughly with your spinal care provider.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy w/ Fusion

How Is An Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion Performed?

• Removes the intervertebral disc to access the compressed neural structures;
• Relieves the pressure by removing the source of the compression;
• Places a bone graft between the adjacent vertebrae; and
• In some cases, uses instrumentation – metal plates or pins that will provide extra support and stability to help ensure proper fusion.

How Long Will It Take Me To Recover?

Work closely with your spinal surgeon to determine the appropriate recovery protocol for you, and follow his or her instructions to optimize the healing process.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy w/ FusionAnterior Cervical Discectomy w/ Fusion

Are There Any Potential Risks Or Complications?

Please consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the anterior cervical discectomy with fusion procedure.