What is ACDF and PCDF Surgery, and What Are the Risks?
As our society gets older as a whole, more and more people need ACDF and PCDF surgeries. Last September, I had my own combination ACDF/PCDF surgery (anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, followed by a posterior cervical discectomy with fusion). What are these surgeries? Why do you have them? How do they help? What are the risks? How does the recovery go? Neck Surgery Vocabulary First, some basic definitions: Anterior = front side of your body Posterior = back side of your body Cervical = neck Discectomy = removal of a damaged disc Fusion = insertion of bone plugs and/or pieces of metal (plates, rods, cages, etc.) into/around spinal bones to encourage bone growth In a nutshell, an ACDF is a surgery in which a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon opens the front side of your neck to remove damaged discs and correct problems in the alignment of your cervical vertebrae (neck bones). The doctor may use bone plugs and/or hardware to support your spine while it heals into the new alignment.
