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Phoenix ACDF Surgery
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is a surgery used to treat herniated discs in the neck. What makes ACDF surgery different from a traditional posterior discectomy is that the damaged disc is accessed through the throat rather than the back of the neck.
Accessing herniated cervical discs through the throat rather than the back of the neck allows the surgeon to work without disturbing the spinal cord, spinal nerves or the strong muscles of the neck.
What happens during ACDF?
You’ll be placed under general anesthesia for the procedure. Dr. Baig, one of the best Arizona ACDF surgery specialists, will make a small incision on one side of your throat and move the muscles, arteries, trachea and esophagus to the side.
Using real-time X-ray (fluoroscopy), he will identify and remove the herniated disc and decompress the “pinched” spinal nerve that is causing your pain. The missing disc is replaced with a bone graft or bioplastic cage filled with bone material, and hardware is used to fuse the vertebrae together. In some cases, more than one damaged disc will need to be removed.
Dr. Baig may choose to insert an artificial disc in place of fusion to preserve range of motion in the neck.
and Why ACDF?
The overwhelming majority of herniated discs in the neck will heal without the need for surgery. However, in some cases disc degeneration in the neck is so severe and pain is so great that surgery is required. ACDF is Dr. Baig’s – one of the best Arizona ACDF surgery specialists – preferred surgical treatment for a number of reasons.
Benefits of ACDF include:
● Shorter surgery. ACDF surgery takes 1 to 3 hours as compared with posterior cervical discectomy fusion (PCDF), which takes 2 to 4 hours.
● Spinal cord and spinal nerves are undisturbed. Accessing damaged cervical discs from the front of the body means Dr. Baig will not have to disturb vulnerable spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself.
● Fewer complications. Studies have shown ACDF to have fewer complications and to be safer overall for the patient.
● At our centers in Mesa and other surrounding regions of Phoenix ACDF surgery recovery is short with a short hospital stay. Many ACDF patients are able to go home the same day or next day after surgery as compared with PCDF patients, who require a stay in hospital post-surgery.
Am I a candidate for ACDF?
You’ll be placed under general anesthesia for the procedure. Dr. Baig, one of the best Arizona ACDF surgery specialists, will make a small incision on one side of your throat and move the muscles, arteries, trachea and esophagus to the side.
Using real-time X-ray (fluoroscopy), he will identify and remove the herniated disc and decompress the “pinched” spinal nerve that is causing your pain. The missing disc is replaced with a bone graft or bioplastic cage filled with bone material, and hardware is used to fuse the vertebrae together. In some cases, more than one damaged disc will need to be removed.
Dr. Baig may choose to insert an artificial disc in place of fusion to preserve range of motion in the neck.
Evaluate Your Cervical Spine Surgery Options in Phoenix
If you’re experiencing neck or arm pain due to disc degeneration in your cervical spine, you may want to consult Dr. Rafath Baig, one of the best Arizona ACDF surgery specialists. The Medical Director and Founder of the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, he is dedicated to providing the ultimate patient care and complete patient education, no matter what the recommended course of action.
Furthermore, our entire team at Desert Spine is committed to a conservative approach to the management and treatment of the conditions of the spine. We believe that surgery is not always the best solution and recommend it only if it is the best option for your case. In fact in many cases, spine surgery is not required. If you’ve been recommended surgery by a doctor, it’s time to come and get a second or even third opinion with Dr. Baig.
We understand that back pain can be debilitating and severe back pain can even derail your life. After evaluating your unique situation, we recommend the best treatment option that will best suit your specific needs. Regardless of whether or not you may need surgery, you can rest assured that our ultimate goal is healing. And we will do whatever it takes to rid you of your chronic back pain and discomfort.
Get maximum relief with minimal risk
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
SPINE PROCEDURES
ENDOSCOPIC
SPINE SURGERY
STEREOTACTIC
SPINE PROCEDURES
NON-SURGICAL
TREATMENT OPTIONS
WE DIAGNOSE THE ROOT
Chronic back pain can be debilitating and leave you feeling hopeless. When Craig wasn’t getting the care he felt he deserved, he reached out to Dr. Baig to get the help he needed.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem: People suffering from back pain see a doctor, get diagnosed with some type of “chronic” condition, obtain a prescription and perhaps go to a few physical therapy appointments. They feel a bit better for a time, but the root of the problem is never diagnosed or properly treated. This is how back pain can become chronic, and this is why people ultimately seek the help of Desert Spine and Scoliosis center, expert back surgeons in Phoenix.
Dr. Baig, one of the most respected back surgeons in Phoenix, helped Craig identify his problem by relying on his years of expertise as a spine specialist in Phoenix. With the proper treatment, Craig’s condition improved and he was able to get back into life without the terrible pain that had dragged him down for so long. This is what patients should reasonably expect from our team of Phoenix spine surgeons.
SUCCESS STORIES
For an active 39 year old who participates in Jiujitsu, having a spinal fusion would not have been the right thing for her. We were able to get her back on the mat after a successful disc replacement and she is back living her life
NO MORE BACK PAIN!
For an active young mom, having a spinal fusion was out of the question.
She was back in the gym THE SAME DAY after she had an Endoscopic Decompression. Dr. Baig and is living life
PAIN FREE!
This personal trainer got a cervical disc replacement.
She was able to avoid a fusion, keep her her range of motion, and get back
into the gym
PAIN FREE!
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our patients who take the time to leave a review about their experience at our practice.
Your kind words and feedback are greatly appreciated by our entire team, and your review helps other patients make an informed decision about where to turn to for care.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with others. You are making a difference.
T.M. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig and his team are phenomenal. I had a compressed nerve due to a bulging disc and was able to be seen relatively quickly. Surgery was quick and flawless and I have no complaints at all. I truly appreciated how fast they worked to get me seen and out of all the pain I was in! Highly recommend them."
A.H. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig literally changed my life for the better. I had a severely pinched nerve in my neck and needed to get surgery. Immediately at my first consult I felt comfortable and in good hands. I even walked away with a smile on my face during that scary time.
Surgery day couldn’t have gone better. The team he had also had a great bedside manner and helped keep me calm.
After the surgery and in the recovery room, he came in and checked on me and made sure I was all good before releasing me."
S.D. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig was going to be my second opinion for an upcoming scheduled spinal surgery. After my appointment, he will be my surgeon. He gave me a lot of information that was lacking from my other doctors. I felt very comfortable with Dr Baig and his entire office staff. Looking forward to living pain free after we strengthen my bones. It’s going to be a permanent fix and not a bandaid."
Consult Our Back Surgeons in Phoenix
Back pain can often be a result of an accident, injury, or congenital conditions such as scoliosis. Certain forms of back pain can be a result of the natural aging process, including conditions such as disc protrusion and spinal stenosis.
Today, advancements in imaging, and non surgical techniques have led to more treatment options than ever before, allowing us to return our patients the life they once knew…usually without the need for invasive spine surgery.
Typically, back surgeons in Phoenix offer one type of help, even though there are many others available. When you work with Dr. Baig at the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, you can rest assured that everything is on the table when it comes to potential treatments that are accepted by the medical world.
CONTACT US
LOCATIONS
Conservative care you can trust, with multiple locations in the valley!
Just how ‘minimal’ is minimally invasive spine surgery?
Book your appointment today and we'll be happy to educate you!
As a top-rated spine specialist, Dr. Baig understands that this complicated part of the body can lead to many different problems, and each possibility will be considered before deciding on a treatment protocol.
Get answers, get help, get back to a better quality of life––schedule an appointment today.
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