what does ACDF mean?? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

leslie lou · 08-19-2006, 05:49 PM

i am having surgery on the 28th, i am scared to death. what does ACDF stand for??? thanks leslie

ronginwalker · 08-19-2006, 06:50 PM

Dear Leslie, I think it means, from reading the posts, Anterior Cervical Disc Fusion. If I'm wrong hopefully some of the other experienced people on this site will correct me. I haven't had the surgery yet but I will be having a myelogram & brain MRI with contrast the very day of your surgery before they schedule mine. Read alot of the posts here as there are some very knowledgeable people on here (not me!) that have lots of good advice. Especially ones by ThoreauFan, Humantuningfork, Sunshine221, Dennisgb, Dutchgirl & ICC. They have been through alot of what you are getting ready to go through and their posts are full of tips. Good luck! You will be in my prayers!

Ginger

feelbad · 08-20-2006, 08:11 AM

if i remeber right,i do believe that the "D" in there actually stands for decompression.but hey i could be wrong too,marcia

bdh7 · 08-20-2006, 08:20 AM

It stands for Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion. Hope yours goes well! Donna

Jimmy B · 08-20-2006, 09:15 AM

Hello Leslie,
ronginwalker is close to correct. ACDF stands for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. Basically, this is a surgery to repair a damaged disc in the neck area of the spine (this is where the term cervical comes into play). "Anterior" means that your doctor reaches the damaged disc from the front of your neck—a more convenient approach than from the back (posterior) of your neck. Discectomy literally means "cutting out the disc." In some cases it can also mean to remove part of the disk. Fusion means to join two or more bones together to stop movement between them and provide stability.
There is a ton of information regarding this type of surgery on the internet...

I Hope your surgery provides relief for you and your recovery is quick.

Good Luck - Jimmy B.