Cervical disc replacement and ACDF surgery are two of the most common surgical procedures for treating damage to the upper spine. If you’re suffering from neck pain due to a degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, or similar conditions, you may benefit from these procedures. Which one is right for you?
Dr. Grigory Goldberg of the Modern Spine Institute regularly performs cervical disc replacement surgery in New Jersey. Learn more about this procedure, how it compares to ACDF surgery, and more.
How Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery Works
Soft discs sit between the spine’s vertebrae to support movement and flexibility. When a disc breaks down over time, it often leads to nerve compression, pain, and stiffness. One way that doctors address this issue is through artificial disc replacement.
If you have a damaged disc in your upper spine, you may undergo a cervical disc replacement surgery. This procedure involves making an incision in the front of your neck. From there, surgeons use innovative technology to access the damaged disc and remove it. They’ll then put an artificial one in its place and close the incision.
The entire procedure is done under general anesthesia, so you won’t be awake or feel any discomfort.
Understanding ACDF Surgery
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a spinal fusion procedure aimed at treating nerve compression, which may be due to bulging discs or bone spurs. ACDF surgery is similar to cervical disc replacement in that it also requires making an incision at the front of the neck and removing the impacted disc, as well as any bone spurs. However, instead of implanting an artificial disc, surgeons fuse the vertebrae together with a bone graft and hardware.
Although it comes with risks, ACDF surgery has a success rate between 85% and 95%, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Pros and Cons of Cervical Disc Replacement
Patients who undergo this cutting-edge cervical spine surgery can gain several benefits. It’s proven effective for relieving neck pain. According to a study in the Asian Spine Journal, less than 3.7% of patients who underwent CDR surgery experienced new onset pain within the first year.
The artificial disc that surgeons insert between the vertebrae helps preserve a patient’s range of motion.
As a treatment for degenerative disc disease, CDR surgery may be helpful for patients across certain demographics. The Mayo Clinic reports that about 20% of U.S. adults experience disc degeneration by the time they turn 65, with women being at a higher risk than men.
One major drawback is that it’s a newer procedure. Although it has become more popular in recent years, some surgeons may favor cervical spinal fusion over CDR surgery. It also comes with risks like implant failure, which may require another surgery.
Pros and Cons of ACDF Surgery
ACDF surgery has been the longtime standard for treating certain spinal conditions. It has a high success rate, and research shows it can be extremely effective for treating both neck and nerve pain.
Having been performed longer than cervical disc replacement, many surgeons offer it as a treatment option when conservative measures fail. Every surgery comes with risks, although the complication rate remains low.
While the full fusion recovery process may take six to 12 months, patients can expect their initial recovery to take a few weeks before they fully get back into their normal daily routine. A study by New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery highlights this. Researchers found that within 16 days after their procedure, 98.2% of patients returned to driving and 85.7% resumed working.
Perhaps the biggest downside to ACDF surgery is that it doesn’t preserve the spine’s range of motion. Even though patients may no longer experience nerve-related symptoms after surgery, they could still have trouble flexing or rotating their neck.
How To Tell if You’re a Good Candidate for Cervical Spine Surgery
While these procedures can be effective at relieving nerve compression and neck pain, they may not be ideal for some patients. Patients with neuromuscular conditions, osteoporosis, or active infections may not be good candidates for either surgical treatment. Since artificial disc replacement and spinal fusion surgeries involve metal hardware, patients with certain metal allergies also may not qualify.
Consult a Leading Spine Surgeon in New Jersey About Your Options
You might benefit from cervical disc replacement, but the only way to find out if it’s right for you is by visiting a spine surgeon for chronic neck pain. Dr. Grigory Goldberg is a trusted orthopedic surgeon treating patients at New Jersey’s Modern Spine Institute. If you’re looking for effective treatments for herniated discs, cervical radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease, and more, we may be able to help.
Call our Clifton location at (844) 373-2772, our Toms River location at (732) 908-8585, or submit our online form to request an appointment. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to learn more about these procedures and which one may be right for you? Below, we answer common patient questions.
What Does Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery Treat?
Cervical disc replacement surgery treats various conditions affecting the cervical spine, including degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, and nerve compression due to spinal stenosis.
Is Surgery the Only Option for Treating Neck Pain?
No. Our spine specialist in New Jersey may recommend non-surgical treatments first, such as physical therapy. If your symptoms do not improve with conservative measures, physicians may then explore surgical options.
What Is the Recovery Timeline for ACDF Surgery and Artificial Disc Replacement?
The initial recovery period for both ACDF and cervical disc replacement surgery is about three to six weeks. With spinal fusion, full bone healing can take up to a year, while disc replacement surgery has a shorter recovery period.
How Can a Spine Specialist in New Jersey Help Me?
An experienced spine specialist can diagnose your condition, explore non-invasive treatment plans, and, if necessary, perform cervical disc replacement or other surgeries.
