Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion

A physician is holding and pointing to a model of the cervical spine illustrating anterior cervical discectomy and fusion treatment for pain relief.

Cervical Disc Surgery: An Overview

Most cases of pain, numbness and weakness associated with cervical herniated discs will resolve with medication and physiotherapy. However, some patients may continue to suffer despite the treatment. In such circumstances, spine specialists in Bangalore at Spine 360 may suggest an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion or, in simple terms, a cervical disc surgery.

The surgery involves the removal of the herniated disc to decompress the spinal cord or nerve root to alleviate the radiating pain and prevent the condition from progressing to neurological conditions like tingling, numbness, and weakness radiating to the arm.

When You May Need Cervical Disc Surgery

At Spine 360, our medical approach is always centred around non-surgical treatments to help alleviate pain. However, surgery may be the best option under the following circumstances:

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Nerve compression causes pain in the arms, chest, legs, and abdomen. Since the nerves to these body parts pass through the neck from the brain, any spinal cord decompression can cause this pain.

Based on your spine examination, medical history, and imaging results, your surgeon recommends minimally invasive cervical discectomy. Surgery is recommended only after non-surgical treatment approaches fail.

Prior to recommending surgery, our surgeons assess your overall health, age, lifestyle, and expected level of activity after the procedure. We strongly recommend a detailed discussion with your surgeon about this treatment option before scheduling the surgery.

Spine 360: Our Surgical Options

A spine X-ray image of the post-cervical disc surgery.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

ACDF surgery is the most preferred method for treating a cervical herniated disc. The procedure involves the removal of the disc through a small incision in the front of the neck. Once the disc is removed, the space is prepared to allow the neighbouring vertebrae to fuse naturally over time. Your surgeon may insert a plate into the front of the graft to enhance stability and potentially increase the success rate of the fusion.

The doctor points to the part of the spine highlighted with red color illustrating the cervical disc surgery.

Posterior Cervical Laminoforaminotomy and Discectomy

This minimally invasive procedure is the best option to preserve the range of motion in patients suffering from Unilateral Radiculopathy secondary to a laterally located herniated disc or foraminal stenosis. It is also an ideal alternative to ACDL and other non-surgical measures.

The medical image after the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion treatment in the spine.

Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement

This procedure is similar to the Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion surgery. The approach is through an incision made in the front of the neck to implant an artificial disc in the space between the vertebrae. The aim of using the artificial disc is to replicate the structure and operation of the original disc.

Pre-Surgical Care For ACDF

What to Expect During Cervical Disc Surgery

Post-Surgical Care For Cervical Disc Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, it is essential to consult with your surgeon and follow their instructions, such as:

Informing your doctor about your medical history, previous drug prescriptions, and allergies, if any.
Avoiding alcohol intake and smoking at least a couple of weeks before the procedure,
Avoiding any medication that may adversely impact anesthesia or the healing process.

Spine 360 has the best surgeons, technicians, and cutting-edge medical paraphernalia to ensure the desired outcome from any surgical procedure. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect during the process.

You will be asked to rest on your back since this is an ideal position for the surgery.
Our anesthetist will administer local or general anesthesia to prepare you for the surgery.
Your surgeon carefully creates a tiny cut in the centre of your neck from the front side and delicately separates the muscles and soft tissues.
A sequence of small tubes or dilators are inserted into the incision through which bone spurs, or disc material causing compression is removed.
After extricating the necessary material, the tubes are removed, and the incision is closed with sutures.
If necessary, your surgeon may perform a spinal fusion during the cervical discectomy. In this procedure, a bone graft is inserted between two vertebrae to allow bone growth between the vertebral bodies.
The purpose of the bone graft is to serve as a solid foundation that binds the two vertebral bones together, resulting in the growth of a single vertebra that provides stability to the spine. Additionally, spinal fusion can also be accomplished using a minimally invasive technique involving the use of "tubes".
Your surgeon may also opt for a posterior approach for the same procedure when an incision is made on the back of your neck instead of the front.

In most cases, our patients return to the comfort of their own homes within 24 hours following a herniated disc surgery. In fact, some fortunate individuals may even be able to return home on the same day of the procedure. Before you leave, our doctors will assess your recovery and may suggest some post-operative guidelines to facilitate quicker recovery. You may be asked to:

Avoid heavy lifting, driving, bending, or sitting for long periods of time
Do some gentle exercises or rehabilitation therapy ONLY on advice from your doctor.

Learn More About Cervical Disc Surgery

1. What are the pre-operative tests I should undergo before my cervical disc surgery?

Firstly, our doctors will examine your physical condition to evaluate your neck movements and determine the root cause of your pain and disc injuries. Next, they will gather information about your medical history. To further diagnose your problem, they may recommend the following tests:

MRI or CT scan
Myelogram
Electromyography
Nerve Conduction Velocity tests

2. Are there any risks associated with cervical disc surgery?

The effectiveness of any surgery or treatment varies from person to person. Generally, all surgeries carry a certain amount of risk. At Spine 360, our doctors clearly explain the procedure, the benefits, and the risks involved to help you make an informed decision.

With cervical disc surgery, a failed fusion of the vertebral bones with the bone graft (or fusion failure) is a consequential complication which may necessitate supplementary surgery.

3. How does a cervical disc replacement compare to fusion in terms of advantages?

As opposed to fusion, a cervical disc replacement has the following benefits:

Improves range of motion
Negates the need for additional surgeries
Reduces strain on neighbouring spinal segments

Nevertheless, the fusion of a single level, such as C4-C5, in the cervical spine exerts strain on the adjacent levels above and below the fusion point. This increased pressure on the neighbouring levels in the neck heightens their vulnerability to accelerated degeneration.

4. Is cervical disc surgery advisable for all patients with a herniated disc?

This surgery is advisable only for patients requiring disc replacement in one or two levels of the neck. For more serious herniated disc degeneration, arthritis, and neck pain, may continue to suffer from lingering pain resulting from neck movement following a disc replacement procedure.

Come to Spine 360, Live a Pain-Free Life!

Liberate yourself from constant pain, discomfort, numbness and weakness. Find long-term relief with cervical disc surgery.

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Spine 360 · cervical disc surgery in Bangalore - Spine 360

Cervical Disc Surgery

Cervical Disc Surgery: An Overview

When You May Need Cervical Disc Surgery

Spine 360: Our Surgical Options

Learn More About Cervical Disc Surgery

Come to Spine 360, Live a Pain-Free Life!

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