What material is used in ACDF surgery?

What material is used in ACDF surgery?

Cages or interbody fusion devices are a newer category of devices used for ACDF surgery. Three primary materials including carbon fiber reinforced polymers, titanium, and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) make up most of the current designs with PEEK cage as the most common.

What is C3 4 ACDF?

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgery to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck. An incision is made in the throat area to reach and remove the disc. ACDF surgery may be an option if physical therapy or medications fail to relieve your neck or arm pain caused by pinched nerves.

How is anterior cervical fusion performed?

An anterior cervical fusion is done following the cervical discectomy. The insertion of bone graft and possibly an implant or cage into the evacuated disc space serves to prevent disc space collapse and promote a growing together of the two vertebrae into a single unit, which is called “fusion”.

How do you prepare for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion: Prepare & Recover

1. A week before your surgery is scheduled, do NOT take any NSAIDs (non-steroid anti-inflammatories, e.g. Aleve, Advil, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn..
2. Do not eat or drink any food or beverage after the midnight before your surgery.

What is the difference between a discectomy and a fusion?

Over the months, the lumbar fusion construct is fused together naturally. The bone construct removes any abnormal movement between the vertebrae. Microdiscectomy surgery on the other hand involves the removal of just the herniated part of the intervertebral disc.

Do you get a catheter during ACDF surgery?

A Foley (bladder) catheter may be used during surgery depending on the number of spinal levels involved in the procedure. This catheter will not be placed until you are asleep.

How long is recovery from anterior cervical discectomy?

Recovery time can vary widely. Some patients are able to return to work within a few days or a week after surgery. Others start physical therapy about four weeks after surgery, and continue for 2 or 3 months.

How risky is anterior cervical fusion?

For an ACDF surgery, the main potential risks and complications that tend to occur include: Inadequate symptom relief after the surgery Failure of bone graft healing to create a fusion (a non-union, or pseudarthrosis) Temporary or persistent swallowing (medically known as dysphasia) See After ACDF: Trouble with Swallowing

What to expect from anterior cervical discectomy?

Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) is a common surgery to relieve nerve and spinal cord compression in the neck. During the procedure, one or more dysfunctional discs are removed, and then two or more vertebrae are stabilized and fused together.

What is the recovery time for cervical fusion surgery?

Recovery from cervical fusion depends on a number of factors. As mentioned, the surgery is considered a success when the symptoms are improved, and the bone has healed across the fused vertebrae. This fusion process usually takes two to three months. The activity allowed during that time will depend on the strength of the fusion.