Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the acceptable surgical treatment for symptomatic cervical degenerative disc disease in the face of failing conservative management.

Fusion is invaluable in patients suffering from in nerve root compression, pain originating from the disc or both.

There is resection of the intervertebral disc along the fibrocartilage covering the adjacent vertebral endplates, allowing for eventual osseous fusion. It is possible to reach back to the posterior longitudinal ligament, removing osteophytes and disc protrusion as well and extending laterally to decompress the neural exit foramina.