Anterior cervical discectomy & fusion

ACDF is commonly used to treat cervical disc herniation, cervical radiculopathy (arm pain from a pinched nerve), cervical spinal stenosis, cervical myelopathy (spinal cord compression), and degenerative disc disease in the neck.

Some patients experience temporary soreness or difficulty swallowing for a few days to weeks after surgery due to the approach through the front of the neck. This is usually mild and resolves on its own. Starting with soft foods and gradually progressing helps most patients.

Most patients go home the same day or after one night. Light activities can typically resume within 2-4 weeks. A soft collar may be recommended for comfort. Full fusion takes 3-6 months, during which you should avoid heavy lifting and high-impact activities. Many patients return to desk work within 2-4 weeks.

A single-level ACDF typically results in minimal loss of overall neck mobility—most patients cannot tell the difference. The other cervical segments continue to move normally and often compensate well. Multi-level fusions may have a more noticeable impact.

No referral is required. You can book a consultation directly with our spine specialist. Having a recent MRI of your cervical spine is helpful but not mandatory—we can arrange imaging if needed.

Dr. Eric Massicotte, a neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery. He is a Staff Neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network), an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, Medical Director of the Back & Neck Program at Altum Health, and Head Team Neurosurgeon for the Toronto Argonauts.

Both specialties perform ACDF, and outcomes depend on the surgeon’s spine training and volume rather than the specialty label. At Pathway, ACDF is performed by a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon who treats the spinal cord and nerve roots as his primary specialty, which matters most when the indication is myelopathy (spinal cord compression) rather than a single pinched nerve.

Nerve and spinal cord compression are time-sensitive in a way that arthritis is not. Numbness and weakness from a compressed nerve root recover less fully the longer the compression persists, and cervical myelopathy can progress during a long wait. Private surgery through Pathway means a consultation within 1–4 business days and surgery typically 2–4 weeks after quote approval. Whether it is worth it depends on whether you have progressive weakness, numbness, or balance changes, which your surgeon will assess at consultation.

Yes. Dr. Massicotte performs cervical spine surgery in Toronto for patients from every province. Out-of-province patients have a virtual consultation within 1–4 business days with imaging reviewed in advance, and our team arranges flights, accommodation, and post-operative follow-up around the surgical date. Pathway’s private-pay pathway is separate from provincially insured care. See our out-of-province surgery guide for what to confirm before travelling.