Disk herniations of the cervical spine can be treated by either ACD&F or posterior foraminotomy/diskectomy. ACD&F involves making an incision in the front (anterior) of the neck, dissecting down to the spine, removing the entire disc and disc herniation, then fusing the disc space using allograft, (donor bone), allograft (patient’s bone) or PEEK. Cervical fusion is most often done with instrumentation.
Foraminal stenosis in the cervical spine can be treated with an incision in the back (posterior) of the neck then removing the spur compressing the nerve. A diskectomy (removing the herniated portion of the disc) can also be performed. Typically a fusion is not performed. However, a fusion also can be done in selected circumstances.
ADR has been approved for the lumbar spine and cervical spine. ADR is an alternative to fusion of the lumbar or cervical spine, however, only certain types of patients are candidates for this surgery.
Cervical Fusion
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Artificial Cervical Disc |
Artificial Cervical Disc Side View |
Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion |
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Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion Side View |
Anterior Retroperitoneal Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Cage and Screws |
