Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF)

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Orthopaedic & Spine Centre, Mater Private Network, St. Raphael's House, 81-84 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin 1, D01 KX02 1800 38 52 85 Outside ROI +353 (0)1 882 2617 orthospine@materprivate.ie

Please note that a referral letter is required before an appointment can be confirmed.

Orthopaedic & Spine Centre, Mater Private Network, Citygate, Mahon, Cork, T12 K199 021 601 3365 cork@materprivate.ie

Please note that a referral letter is required before an appointment can be confirmed.

Useful Information

About our services

An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure to remove a herniated or damaged disc from the cervical spine. Symptoms of a herniated disc in the cervical spine are:

  • Neck pain
  • Arm pain
  • Paraesthesia in the arm/fingers
  • Tingling/numbness in the fingers
  • Cervical myeloradiculopathy
  • Manual dexterity i.e dropping jars out of hands and not being able to grip things

An ACDF is performed by making a small incision in the side of the neck at the throat area. The damaged or worn disc is removed, and a special graft called a cage is inserted, to fuse the bones above and below the disc space. A titanium plate is then secured over the bones (vertebrae) to secure it. The aim of this surgery is to remove pressure on the spinal nerves in the neck region.

A patient is usually in hospital for two to three days for this procedure.

Find out more

What to Expect: Spinal Surgery

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Understanding Your Spine

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