ACDF Surgery New York City | Dr. Zeeshan Sardar

ACDF Surgery in New York City

Dr. Zeeshan Sardar, MD, MSc, F.R.C.S.C
Director, Quality & Patient Safety (QPS) – Och Spine Hospital
Medical Director, Spine Unit – Och Spine Hospital
Co-Chief of Spinal Deformity Surgery • NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University
Och Spine Hospital • New York, NY

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is one of the most commonly performed and most successful procedures in all of spine surgery. It reliably decompresses nerve roots and the spinal cord in the neck, relieves arm and hand pain from cervical disc disease, and has an excellent track record of long-term safety and effectiveness. For patients with cervical disc herniation, radiculopathy, or myelopathy who have not improved with conservative treatment, ACDF is often the most appropriate surgical option.

WHAT IS ACDF?

ACDF is performed through a small incision on the front of the neck. The diseased disc is completely removed, decompressing the nerve root or spinal cord. The disc space is then filled with a bone graft or interbody cage to maintain disc height and promote fusion. A small titanium plate and screws are typically placed across the front of the operated levels to stabilize the construct while the fusion heals. The treated level becomes permanently immobile once fusion is complete.

CONDITIONS TREATED

  • Cervical radiculopathy — arm pain, numbness, or weakness from a herniated disc or bone spur compressing a nerve root
  • Cervical disc herniation causing nerve or cord compression
  • Cervical myelopathy — spinal cord compression causing hand clumsiness, gait problems, balance difficulties, or weakness
  • Cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy or myelopathy from degenerative disc and bone spur disease
  • Cervical instability requiring stabilization

WHO IS A CANDIDATE?

ACDF is appropriate for patients with symptomatic cervical disc disease who have failed conservative treatment for at least 6 weeks, except in cases of progressive neurological deficit or severe myelopathy where more urgent surgery is appropriate. Patients with kyphosis, instability, OPLL, or multilevel disease requiring more than 3 levels may be better served by posterior approaches or combined anterior-posterior surgery.

THE PROCEDURE

ACDF is performed under general anesthesia through a 2–4 cm transverse incision on the front of the neck. The natural tissue planes are followed to access the front of the cervical spine without cutting through muscles. The disc is removed under magnification, bone spurs compressing the nerve or cord are cleared, and an interbody cage or graft is placed. Intraoperative neuromonitoring provides continuous feedback throughout. The incision heals within the natural skin crease of the neck and becomes nearly invisible within weeks to months.

ACDF VS. CERVICAL DISC REPLACEMENT

Both procedures decompress the nerve or cord through the same anterior approach. The key difference is that ACDF fuses the treated level permanently, while disc replacement preserves motion. For patients who are candidates for disc replacement — those without kyphosis, significant facet arthritis, or instability — disc replacement offers advantages in adjacent segment protection at long-term follow-up. Dr. Sardar evaluates every patient for disc replacement candidacy and recommends the procedure that is genuinely best for that patient’s anatomy and goals.

WHY CHOOSE DR. SARDAR

Dr. Sardar performs ACDF as one of the most common procedures in his practice and is equally expert in cervical disc replacement, allowing him to recommend the genuinely optimal procedure for each patient. He completed a dedicated fellowship in artificial disc replacement at the Texas Back Institute and operates at the Och Spine Hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian, where intraoperative neuromonitoring is standard for all cervical procedures.

This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized medical advice. Please consult a qualified spine specialist to discuss your specific condition.

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