Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Osteoporosis Symptoms & Treatment Options Osteoporosis occurs when the bones that make up your skeletal system, spine, and joints become porous and frail. While this disease often affects older women, any adult—and even some children—can experience this degenerative condition. Remember: Your bones are not a static part of…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Osteoarthritis: Symptoms & Treatment Options Osteoarthritis (or OA) occurs when the joints that connect our bones begin to break down. A joint is a point of articulation where two bones meet to create movement. Because we rely on our joints constantly to perform our everyday tasks, OA can cause chronic discomfort. Also…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Kyphosis: Symptoms & Treatment Options In the large cluster of spinal deformities, kyphosis is regarded as the most common type—edging out even scoliosis 2:1. An abnormal, forward curvature of the thoracic spine distinguishes this condition from other spinal deformities. (Scoliosis, for example, involves an abnormal, lateral…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Herniated Disc Symptoms & Treatment Options Separating our vertebrae are tiny, gel-filled cushions known as intervertebral discs. Intervertebral discs function to connect our spinal vertebrae and provide impact absorption between the adjacent bones of our spine. A herniated disc occurs when the exterior casing of this…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Failed Back Syndrome Symptoms & Treatment Options Although the word syndrome is used, Failed Back Syndrome is more of an outcome rather than an illness. Failed back syndrome is a term that is used to describe anyone who has undergone a back surgery and continues to experience discomfort at or above the level that they were…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Facet Joint Pain Symptoms & Treatment Options Maintaining optimal flexibility of the spine is a crucial aspect of being able to perform our daily activities without pain. The health of our facet joints dictates this flexibility. Lining the backside of our spine, our facet joints enable bending, twisting, and flexing the torso.…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Degenerative Disc Disease: Symptoms & Treatment Options Our spinal discs, located between each vertebra, play an important role in having a healthy and flexible spine. Operating as shock absorbers, they facilitate the fluid, pain-free movement of our spine through a variety of daily activities. With their continuous and daily…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Bulging Disc Symptoms & Treatment Options In addition to the 24 vertebrae of the spine, your spine also consists of 23 spinal discs. These “intervertebral” discs sit between each pair of vertebrae in your spine, like the meat in a sandwich. A bulging disc occurs when a spinal disc (i.e. the meat) suffers damage and balloons…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Bone Spur Symptoms & Treatment Options Bone spurs are bony growths that develop in response to inflammation caused by bone degeneration. Found widely in middle-to-older-aged adults, bone spurs occur in and around the joints of the body. As the body ages, a normal degree of wear and tear occurs. Not surprisingly, this wear…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Back & Neck Pain Symptoms & Treatment Options According to the National Institute of Health, over 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point during their lifetimes. Furthermore, we can attribute more call-outs and lost productivity at work to back pain than to any other physical disability. Even worse still,…