ACDF
surgery
in Mumbai
ACDF surgery can help you regain movement in your limbs and neck. It can also help remove bone spurs in your neck. Read on to learn everything you need to know about ACDF surgery in Mumbai.
What is ACDF surgery?
ACDF, which stands for “Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion,” is a general procedure used to treat myelopathy, ruptured or herniated discs, and other problems in your cervical spine.
A herniated disc occurs when the exterior part of your disc ruptures and a few of the soft tissues squeeze out. ACDF surgery removes the herniated disc to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, which helps ease your pain.
In this minimally invasive procedure, a soft disc between your vertebrae is removed and graft material is put in its place. This revives the healing process of your bones.
Why is an ACDF procedure performed?
The ACDF procedure is mainly used to:
- Get rid of bone spurs on your vertebrae that squeeze your nerves. Squeezed nerves can make your arms and legs feel weak or numb. Hence, treating the root source of the flattened spine nerves. The ACDF procedure can end or relieve this weakness or numbness.
- Remove a spinal disc that has become injured or worn down.
- Treat a ruptured disc, also known as a slipped or herniated disc.
What are the advantages of ACDF surgery in Mumbai?
- Less risk of tissue damage
- Smaller incisions
- Fewer chances of infection
- Reduces the likelihood of pain medicines
- Shorter recovery time
How do I get ready for an ACDF surgery in Mumbai?
Before a week of surgery:
- Attend every scheduled appointment for X-rays, an ECG (electrocardiogram), or blood tests.
- Sign an agreement form and share your medical records with your doctor.
- Tell your healthcare provider about any dietary supplements or medications that you are currently taking.
- Avoid smoking before the surgery. as it can slow down your recovery process.
- Avoid alcohol completely.
- Try to avoid any NSAIDs, like Advil (ibuprofen), or blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin).
- Take a leave from your job or work before the surgery.
On the day of the ACDF surgery:
- Don’t drink or eat for at least eight hours before the surgery.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Wearing jewelry to the hospital is not recommended.
- Try to arrive one or two hours before the scheduled time.
- Bring written notes about any supplements or medications that you need to take.
- Follow the instructions of your doctor. Take necessary medications with a small amount of water.
- Pack your important belongings in a bag if you might need to stay overnight after the procedure.
What is the procedure for ACDF surgery in Mumbai?
Your surgeon will inject local anesthesia to make you unconscious during the entire procedure. Ask your surgeon about possible risks and complications related to surgery.
Depending on the condition of your spine and how many discs need to be taken out, the whole process can take up to four hours.
To carry out an ACDF surgery in Mumbai, your surgeon:
- Makes a small incision on the front side of the neck.
- Move your trachea (windpipe), esophagus (food pipe), and blood vessels aside to get access to your vertebrae.
- Identifies the affected nerves, discs, or vertebrae and takes X-rays of the affected part. (Only if you have not taken an X-ray before.)
- Utilizes different tools to take out discs or bone spurs that are harmed or pinching your nerves and causing discomfort or pain. This step is known as a discectomy.
- Takes a bone’s piece from anywhere else in the neck (autograft), or from a donor (allograft), or uses a fabricated compound to fill up vacant space. This step is known as bone graft fusion.
- Attach screws and a plate made of titanium to your vertebrae around the part where your disc was removed.
- Stitches to close the incisions on your neck.
What should I expect after the ACDF surgery in Mumbai?
After the procedure, you will get up in the postoperative care room and then be moved to a unit where your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate will be scanned. A physiotherapist will help you walk around, move, and sit up until you are completely comfortable.
After the surgery is done, your doctor will keep an eye on you and give you painkillers and instructions on how to take care of your bowels or bladder, since painkillers can cause constipation.
If you are having trouble with your blood pressure or breathing, your surgeon may tell you to stay in the hospital for the next 24 hours.
Consult your doctor two weeks after your ACDF surgery. You might be able to return to normal activities in five to six weeks.
Talk to your surgeon immediately if you notice any one of the following:
- High fever
- Discharge or bleeding from the surgery area
- Abnormal redness or swelling
- If your pain still doesn’t go away after using prescribed medications
- Abnormal weakness that wasn’t before the ACDF surgery
- Facing difficulty in swallowing
- Neck stiffness or intense pain in your neck
What things should I keep in mind during the recovery stage?
Once you leave the hospital:
- Start taking prescribed medications for constipation and pain. These might include stool softeners like Dulcolax (bisacodyl) and narcotics like Vicodin (acetaminophen-hydrocodone).
- Avoid NSAIDs for around six months.
- Try to avoid heavy lifting.
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Avoid smoking
- Don't use your neck to look down and up.
- Avoid sitting for longer periods
- Take help from a family member to perform any activity that might strain your neck.
- Use a neck brace as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Attend physiotherapy sessions.
Do not do the following until your doctor says it is safe to do so:
- Driving
- Have sex
- Swimming
- Do intense workouts, like lifting weights
One Spine Clinic is a leading spine center in Mumbai. We provide upgraded technologies like disc replacements and various enhanced surgical procedures. Our highly experienced team is dedicated to providing the best quality of spine care with a quicker recovery to help patients regain productive and useful lives.
With the knowledge and experience we’ve gained over the years, we can offer the best ACDF surgery in Mumbai.
conditions
Surgery
- spinal fusion
- spinal reconstruction
- Microdiscectomy
- Laminectomy
