Recovery After ACDF (Anterior Cervical Fusion) - Spinal DISC Center | Kris Radcliff, MD | New Jersey

Dr. Kris Radcliff specializes in simplifying the management of complex spine conditions and traumatic spine injuries, focusing exclusively on spine surgery, with particular expertise in the area of artificial disc replacement. Dr. Radcliff is highly experienced, having performed more than 10,000 spine surgeries. He combines conservative decision-making judgment with state-of-the-art and minimally invasive surgical techniques, endoscopic spine surgery, and artificial disc replacement.

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Recovery After ACDF (Anterior Cervical Fusion)

ACDF, which stands for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, removes a damaged disc in the neck and lets the bones above and below heal together.

What the Surgery Does

Through a small incision in the front of the neck, the disc and any bone spurs pressing on the spinal cord or nerves are removed. A spacer fills the gap, and a small plate and screws hold the level steady while the bones grow together over the next several months.

Your Recovery, Stage by Stage

Day 0: Surgery day

How you may feelSore throat, trouble swallowing, neck soreness. Arm pain often improves quickly.

What you can doWalk the same day. Sip liquids and eat soft foods.

Hold off onLifting, driving.

Milestone: Most people go home the same day or the next morning.

Week 1: Home and resting

How you may feelThroat soreness fading. Tired easily.

What you can doWalk several times a day. Wear a soft collar only if told to.

Hold off onLifting over 10 pounds, driving, bending your neck far forward or back.

Milestone: Pain controlled with less medicine.

Weeks 2-6: Early healing

How you may feelNeck and shoulder muscle tightness is common.

What you can doWalking every day, desk work as tolerated. Driving once off narcotics and turning your head is comfortable.

Hold off onHeavy lifting, overhead work, contact sports.

Milestone: First follow-up visit and X-ray at about 2 weeks.

Weeks 6-12: Bone healing

How you may feelSteady improvement; occasional stiffness.

What you can doPhysical therapy if recommended. More normal activity.

Hold off onHeavy lifting until cleared.

Milestone: X-ray at about 6 weeks to check early healing.

Months 3-12: Solid fusion

How you may feelMost people feel back to normal.

What you can doReturn to full activity, work and exercise as cleared.

Hold off onNothing specific for most people, unless told otherwise.

Milestone: The fusion is usually solid by 6 to 12 months.

When to Call

CALL 911Trouble breathing, chest pain, or sudden weakness in your arms or legs.

CALL THE OFFICE THE SAME DAYFever over 101 F; redness, swelling or drainage from the incision; new or worsening numbness or weakness; calf pain or swelling; loss of bladder or bowel control. Trouble swallowing that is getting worse, or new swelling in the front of the neck.

CALL DURING OFFICE HOURSQuestions about medicines, paperwork, physical therapy, or returning to work.

Good to Know

Nicotine in any form slows bone healing. Stay off it for at least 3 months.
Anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen can slow fusion healing. Ask before taking them in the first 3 months.
Hoarseness or a lump-in-the-throat feeling usually fades over weeks.

Questions?

Offices in Somers Point, Cherry Hill, and Brick, New Jersey, as part of Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics.
New patients: 201-820-0768
Existing patients: 201-515-5190

This page is general information, not medical advice. Every patient heals at a different pace. Your own instructions from Dr. Radcliff always come first.