ACDF
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ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY & FUSION This booklet is designed to inform you about the Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgical procedure. It is not meant to replace any personal conversations that you might wish to have with your physician or other member of your healthcare team. Not all the information here will apply to your individual treatment or its outcome. The information is intended to answer some of your questions and serve as a stimulus for you to ask appropriate questions about the procedure.

ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY & FUSION About the Cervical Spine The area of the spine in your neck is CERVICAL called the cervical spine. It is made up of seven bones, called vertebrae. These vertebrae are connected by several joints, which allow you to bend, twist, and move your neck. The main joint between two vertebrae is called a disc. The disc is comprised of two parts, a tough and fibrous outer layer (annulus fibrosis), and a soft, LUMBAR gelatinous center (nucleus pulposus). These two parts work in conjunction to allow the spine to bend, twist, and also provide shock absorption....

What is causing my pain? There are several primary causes of cervical spine problems. The majority of the symptoms are caused by disc, bone, or ligaments pressing onto the nerve roots or cord. DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE (DDD) During the natural aging process, the discs between each vertebral body can lose their flexibility, height, and elasticity. This can lead to a tear in the tough outer layer of the disc, causing the gelatinous core to bulge or herniate. As DDD advances, osteophytes (or bone spurs) develop around the disc and joints of the spine. NERVE COMPRESSION Cervical disc bulging or...

What are my treatment options? Many of the symptoms can be treated without surgery with methods that involve rest, heat, medication, and physical therapy. It is important that you speak to your physician about the best options for you. If your symptoms do not improve with other methods, your physician may suggest spinal surgery. Surgery is reserved for those who do not gain relief from non-operative forms of treatment, patients whose symptoms are increasing or worsening, and/or patients that present with a spinal condition which indicates the need for surgery. What is an ACDF procedure? An...

Is an ACDF right for me? In the cervical spine, surgery is often performed via an anterior approach to address a multitude of issues, including degenerative disorders, fractures, or tumors. Your physician may determine that an ACDF procedure is a good option for you if you require an interbody fusion, are skeletally mature, and have gone through six weeks of non-surgical treatment. Conversely, your physician may determine that an ACDF procedure is not a good option for you if you are not a good candidate for fusion surgery in general due to other medical conditions. These conditions can be...

What happens during surgery? SURGICAL PROCEDURE DISC REMOVAL Traditionally, a small incision is created over the treatment disc is removed to reduce area. The size of the incision pressure from the symptomatic can vary based on number of cord or nerve root. levels and or complexity of the case. What implants are used? Below are some examples of implants that may be used during your ACDF procedure: Plate with screws Implant Implant with built-in fixation

BEFORE DURING AFTER INSERT IMPLANT INSERT FIXATION An implant is inserted into Your surgeon may choose the void left once the disc is removed. This implant acts as implant used. A small plate vertebrae while bone grows and screws are then placed between vertebral bodies during over the disc space to act as the fusion (bone healing) process. a stabilization device (internal That segment of your spine will brace) to help hold everything stabilize once fusion occurs. in place while fusion occurs. Postsurgical View Postsurgical View Learn more about ACDF Visit www.nuvasive.com

What can I expect...? After surgery After surgery you will wake up in the recovery room, BEFORE DURING AFTER where your vital signs will be monitored and your immediate postoperative condition will be carefully observed. Most patients stay in the recovery room between one and three hours after surgery. Once the medical staff feels that you are doing well, you will be returned to your room in the hospital. It is normal for your incision to be sore immediately after surgery. The nursing staff will be checking to make sure that your vital signs are stable and that there is no problem with...

esophageal, and pharyngeal perforation; airway obstruction; deficit or damage to the spinal cord, nerve roots, or nerves possibly resulting in paralysis or dural tears or leaking; cerebrospinal fistula; discitis, arachnoiditis, and/or other types of inflammation; loss of disc height; loss of proper curvature, correction, height, or reduction of the spine; vertebral slipping; scarring, herniation, or degeneration of adjacent discs; surrounding soft tissue damage, spinal stenosis, myelopathic, or radicular symptoms; spondyloysis; otitis media; fistula; vascular damage and/or rupture; and...

RESOURCES For more information about the ACDF procedure, please visit: www.nuvasive.com If you would like to learn more about patient support and education for chronic back, leg, and neck pain sufferers and their loved ones, please visit: www.thebetterwayback.org If you have any questions about the ACDF procedure or cervical spine surgery in general, please call or see your physician, who is the only one qualified to diagnose and treat your spinal condition. This patient information brochure is not a replacement for professional medical advice.

ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY & FUSION 7475 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121 Tel: 800.475.9131 Fax: 800.475.9134 www.nuvasive.com ©2017. NuVasive, Inc. All rights reserved. , NuVasive, and CoRoent are registered trademarks of NuVasive, Inc. CoRoent Small Interlock is a trademark of NuVasive, Inc. 9501024 D