Anterior Cervical Surgery

Performed by Dr. Rajesh Bindal at Texas Spine & Neurosurgery

What Is ACDF?

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most commonly performed neck surgery in the United States—and for good reason. This trusted, time-tested technique is used to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine.

At Texas Spine & Neurosurgery in Sugar Land, TX, Dr. Rajesh Bindal, a board-certified neurosurgeon and pioneer in minimally invasive spine techniques, performs this procedure with precision and a patient-first approach.

How the Procedure Is Performed

The procedure begins with a small, horizontal incision at the front of the neck—typically placed along a natural skin crease to enhance cosmetic outcomes. Through a short and safe dissection, Dr. Bindal gains access to the front of the spine.

Key steps in the procedure include:

  • Identifying and confirming the correct disc level using intraoperative X-ray

  • Removing the damaged disc, herniated fragments, and any bone spurs

  • Decompressing the spinal cord and nerve roots

  • Inserting a bone graft into the empty disc space to promote spinal fusion

  • Securing the area with a low-profile titanium plate (less than 2 mm thick) and screws for stabilization

Proven Success with ACDF Surgery

ACDF has been performed since the 1950s with high success rates and excellent outcomes. It remains a gold-standard procedure for:

  • Relieving chronic neck and arm pain

  • Restoring neurological function

  • Preventing progression of spinal cord or nerve damage

Patients suffering from large herniated discs, bone spurs, or severe degenerative changes often experience significant and lasting relief following ACDF. Dr. Bindal has successfully performed this procedure on thousands of patients across Sugar Land and the Greater Houston area.

Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement (Cervical Arthroplasty)

A Motion-Preserving Alternative to Fusion

For some patients, artificial cervical disc replacement offers an excellent alternative to traditional fusion. This technique follows the same surgical exposure and disc removal process as ACDF, but instead of placing a bone graft and fusing the vertebrae, a prosthetic disc is implanted to maintain natural neck motion.

Benefits and Considerations

Advantages:

  • Preserves spinal flexibility and motion

  • May reduce risk of adjacent disc degeneration

  • Minimally invasive and often has a quicker recovery

Ideal candidates include:

  • Younger patients (20s–40s)

  • Individuals requiring treatment at only one cervical level

  • Patients without severe spinal cord compression or large bone spurs

Limitations:

  • Only FDA-approved for specific, single-level indications

  • Not ideal for patients with multiple-level disease or advanced arthritis

  • Long-term data is still evolving, though early results are promising

Dr. Rajesh Bindal performed the first artificial cervical disc replacement in Fort Bend County, and continues to offer this cutting-edge treatment to carefully selected patients.

Explore Your Neck Pain Treatment Options

In addition to ACDF and cervical disc replacement, Dr. Bindal offers a range of advanced treatments for neck pain, including:

  • Posterior surgical approaches

  • Non-surgical therapies such as physical therapy, medication, and guided injections

Each treatment plan is fully personalized, based on your unique anatomy, symptoms, lifestyle, and long-term health goals.

Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Rajesh Bindal

If you’re experiencing persistent neck pain, radiating symptoms, or neurological changes, don’t wait. Dr. Rajesh Bindal at Texas Spine & Neurosurgery in Sugar Land, TX is here to help you explore your options and get the relief you deserve.

Call 281-313-0031 today to schedule your personalized consultation.

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