Surgical treatment for cervical DDD typically begins when a patient does not respond to non-operative treatments such as over-the-counter pain medication and braces. One of the most common surgeries for cervical DDD is anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), which involves the removal of the damaged disc and replacement with a bone graft. Over time, the graft induces the fusion of vertebrae, often accompanied by screws or hooks for additional support.
Similar to the ACDF, posterior cervical discectomy and fusion (PCDF) involves an incision on the back of the neck instead of the front. In some cases, surgeons may forego a bone graft in favor of an artificial disc.