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Texas Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery | Dr. Shaad Bidiwala

Best Dallas Spine Surgeon

  • Conditions
    • Do I Really Need Spine Surgery?
    • Cervical Disc Herniations
    • Lumbar Disc Herniations
    • Lumbar Instability
    • Lumbar Fractures
    • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
  • Procedures
    • Nonsurgical Treatments
    • ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion)
    • Kyphoplasty
    • Lumbar Laminectomy
    • LMD (Lumbar Microdiscectomy)
    • Lumbar Interbody Fusion
      • ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
      • PLIF (Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
      • TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
      • XLIF (Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion)
    • Minimally Invasive Instrumentation (Screws & Rods)
    • PLF (Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion)
  • Technologies
    • Technology for Cervical Disc Herniations
    • Technology for Compression Fractures
    • Technology for Lumbar Stenosis
    • Technology for Lumbar Instability
    • Technology for Lumbar Disc Herniations
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ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion)

Quick Facts

Possible Symptoms

  • Arm and/or hand pain, numbness, and/or weakness
  • Neck and head pain, especially with movement
  • Difficulty with balance

Typical X-Ray Findings

  • Herniated disk compressing spinal cord and/or nerve roots (MRI, CT myelogram).
  • Spondylolisthesis or slippage of one vertebra on the other.
  • Instability with flexion and extension (X rays)

Average Procedure Time

  • One level: 1.5 hours
  • Two levels:  2.5 hours
  • Three levels: 3.5 hours

Average Recovery Time

  • Home in 1-2 days
  • Off work 2-8 weeks, depending on duties

Postperative Limitations

  • Cervical collar for > 2 levels (8 weeks)
  • No bending, twisting, lifting, or strenuous exercises (8 weeks)
  • No driving while on narcotics

The Procedure

A discectomy is the removal of all or part of a degenerated disk that is causing nerve or spinal cord compression. Though cervical discectomies used to be performed from a posterior approach, that is, from behind, now they are usually performed from an anterior approach. This is because there are few organs in front of the cervical spine, and it can be difficult to remove a disk from a posterior approach with the spinal cord in the way.

Since almost all of the disk is removed in an anterior cervical discectomy, bone graft within a cage to replace the disk and to encourage bony growth between the vertebrae above and below is commonly placed along with a plate to secure the entire structure. Most spinal surgeons agree that this procedure, called an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, provides for a faster return to work and a better long term outcome over an anterior cervical discectomy alone.

Cervical Discectomy Final

The procedure involves making a small incision on the front of the neck, and removing most of the cervical disk from the front. After the spinal cord and nerve roots are well decompressed, an interbody cage filled with bone is placed to preserve the disk height and promote fusion. A plate and screws are then placed to stabilize the construct.

DALLAS OFFICE

Mockingbird Station
6080 N Central Expressway
Suite #150
Dallas, TX 75206
United States

OFFICE LOCATION DETAILS

We sit behind the Beeman Hotel.  Please park in garage on Level 4.  Elevator access available.  We are the first office on the main floor.

DISCLAIMER

The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and is in no way intended to be medical advice. There is no substitute for a face-to-face evaluation by your physician or another qualified practitioner. As always, if you have an emergency, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest emergency department.

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