Anterior Cervical Corpectomy & Discectomy
OVERVIEW
A functioning backbone and spinal column are key to living a long and healthy life. They provide the foundation supporting your body’s limbs and other physical parts. They also play an important role in helping you carry out essential but crucial functions like breathing and waste elimination.
Problems of the backbone and spinal cord should always be taken seriously and treated as soon as possible. One of these conditions is called spinal stenosis. Anterior cervical corpectomy and discectomy can provide relief of associated discomfort and other painful symptoms.
ANATOMY
The spine extends from your head all the way down through your back. The portion located in your neck is known as the cervical spine. It is made up of many surrounding physical components, such as vertebrae and intervertebral disks Vertebrae are tiny bones forming to make up the backbone, while disks act as cushions and are located near the vertebra.

DESCRIPTION
Over time, vertebra and disks can encounter damage resulting from aging, injury, or bone diseases like osteoporosis. Additionally, malformed structures could eventually lead to a narrowing of the open spaces in your spinal region. If this happens, it places significant pressure on and injures the nerves. This condition is called spinal stenosis.
CAUSES
Spinal stenosis might result from conditions including:
- Bone overgrowth.
- Thickening of ligaments, which are the soft tissues connecting spinal bones.
- Immediate traumatic incidents, like excessively forceful physical contact, car accidents, or significant falls.
- Herniated disks.
- Genetic spinal malformations.
Less commonly, stenosis can result from benign or cancerous tumors developing in or around the spine.

RISK FACTORS
Your risk for developing spinal stenosis increases with age. A significant percentage of those diagnosed with the condition are age 50 and older. Injury-producing trauma or degenerative conditions can strike at any age.
SYMPTOMS
You may experience neck discomfort, weakness, numbness, tingling in your arms, legs, hands, or feet, and difficulty maintaining your balance. In the most severe instances, you may also have an inability to control bowel or bladder functions.
COMPLICATIONS
If left untreated, stenosis can progress and potentially result in permanent issues. Some of these include balance issues, limb weakness, the inability to control bowel or bladder functions, mobility issues, chronic pain, and possibly even paralysis.
DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor will confirm the diagnosis using diagnostic imaging tools like a CT scan (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), or X-rays. They reveal abnormalities like vertebral or disk damage and the development of stenosis.
ANTERIOR CERVICAL CORPECTOMY AND DISCECTOMY
This procedure involves the removal of damaged or diseased vertebra and disks causing the stenosis and spinal nerve compression. The surgeon enters your neck’s front or anterior region, called the cervical spine.
In most instances, other options are tried before proceeding with surgery. These treatments may include physical therapy and various pain-relieving medications.
CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE SURGERY IS THE PREFERRED TREATMENT OPTION
- Doctors will usually recommend surgical intervention when:
- Non-surgical treatments are not effective.
- You experience significant pain or disability.
- Spinal nerves are compressed, and you experience associated symptoms.
- Performing basic tasks prove difficult.
Surgery is almost always the preferred treatment option when further disease progression could lead to permanent spinal cord injury.

THE PROCEDURE
Before the actual anterior cervical corpectomy process begins, you are placed under general anesthesia.
Once sedated, surgeons begin the procedure by making an incision into your neck’s frontal region. Surgeons then remove any damaged vertebra, in addition to the disks attached. This first part of the operation is called decompression because it relieves pressure on associated nerves and other surrounding features.
Once this initial phase is completed, surgeons then work to ensure your spine is stable. This process is known as fusion. The surgical team fuses the open spaces left by removed components using implants. Implants are often made up of either the patient’s bone or donations from a bone bank. Occasionally, surgeons insert implants known as cages, created from synthetic products like ceramic or titanium.
After these implants (commonly known as grafts) are positioned, they are tightened using materials like screws and plates. Over time, grafted and existing bone naturally fuse together.
During the operation’s last phase, surgeons stitch and bandage the incision site.
RECOVERY
You will typically remain hospitalized for only one night following the procedure. Bandages usually remain on for a week.
Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment anywhere from four to six weeks after the operation. During this time, X-rays will be taken to track the healing process. On average, total recovery occurs over a six-to-eight-week period.
Until complete healing is complete, you might need to wear a collar or neck brace to support neck muscles. Additionally, your doctor might recommend that you undergo physical therapy to strengthen your neck and maintain its range of motion.
Until your neck has healed entirely, you should avoid any strenuous activities. Basic but beneficial activities like walking are acceptable.
NEXT STEPS
Please contact us if you have been diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis or believe you might have this condition.
Areas of Focus
- Spine
- Anterior Cervical Corpectomy & Discectomy
- Artificial Disk Replacement (ADR)
- Bone Cement Injection
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Discectomy
- Discitis Treatment & Information
- Epidural Injections for Spinal Pain
- Foraminotomy
- Interlaminar Implants
- Interlaminar Lumbar Instrumental Fusion: ILIF
- Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
- Kyphosis
- Laminectomy: Decompression Surgery
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
- Lumbar Interbody Fusion (IBF)
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Outpatient Spine Surgery
- Pinched Nerve
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Fusion
- Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis
- Vertebroplasty
- Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)
The following Florida Orthopaedic Institute physicians specialize in Anterior Cervical Corpectomy & Discectomy:
Specialties
- AC Joint Injuries
- Achilles Tendinitis - Achilles Insertional Calcific Tendinopathy (ACIT)
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Achilles Tendonitis
- ACL Injuries
- Ankle Fracture Surgery
- Ankle Fractures (Broken Ankle)
- Ankle Fusion Surgery
- Anterior Cervical Corpectomy & Discectomy
- Arthroscopic Articular Cartilage Repair
- Arthroscopic Chondroplasty
- Arthroscopic Debridement of the Elbow
- Arthroscopy Of the Ankle
- Articular Cartilage Restoration
- Artificial Disk Replacement (ADR)
- Aspiration of the Olecranon Bursa - Fluid In Elbow
- Atraumatic Shoulder Instability
- Avascular Necrosis (Osteonecrosis)
- Bankart Repair
- Basal Joint Surgery
- Bicep Tendon Tear
- Bicep Tenodesis
- Bone Cement Injection
- Bone Growth Stimulation
- Bone Health Clinic
- Broken Collarbone
- Bunions
- Bursitis of the Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)
- Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Charcot Joint
- Chiropractic
- Clavicle Fractures
- Colles’ Fractures (Broken Wrist)
- Common Foot Fractures in Athletes
- Community Outreach
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
- Deep Thigh Bruising
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Discectomy
- Discitis Treatment & Information
- Dislocated Shoulder
- Dupuytren’s Disease
- Elbow
- Elbow Bursitis
- Elbow Injuries & Inner Elbow Pain in Throwing Athletes
- Epidural Injections for Spinal Pain
- Finger Dislocation
- Flexor Tendonitis
- Foot Stress Fractures
- Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg
- Foraminotomy
- Fractured Fingers
- Fractures Of The Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
- Fractures Of The Tibial Spine
- Functional Nerve Transfers of The Hand
- Ganglion Cysts
- General Orthopedics
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- Golfer's Elbow
- Groin Strains and Pulls
- Growth Plate Injuries Of The Elbow
- Hallux Rigidus Surgery - Cheilectomy
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- Hand & Finger Replantation
- Hand & Wrist
- Hand Nerve Decompression
- Hand Skin Grafts
- Hand, Wrist, Elbow & Shoulder
- Heat Injury/Heat Prostration
- High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmosis Ligament Injury)
- Hip & Thigh
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Hip Dislocation
- Hip Flexor Strains
- Hip Fractures
- Hip Hemiarthroplasty
- Hip Impingement Labral Tears
- Hip Muscle Strains
- Hip Pointers and Trochanteric Bursitis
- Hyperextension Injury of the Elbow
- Iliopsoas Tenotomy
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Impingement Syndrome of the Shoulder
- Interlaminar Implants
- Interlaminar Lumbar Instrumental Fusion: ILIF
- Interventional Pain Management
- Interventional Spine
- Intraarticular Calcaneal Fracture
- Joint Replacement
- Knee & Leg
- Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty)
- Kyphosis
- Labral Tears Of The Hip (Acetabular Labrum Tears)
- Laminectomy: Decompression Surgery
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injuries
- Lisfranc Injuries
- Little League Shoulder
- LITTLE LEAGUER'S ELBOW (MEDIAL APOPHYSITIS)
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
- Lumbar Interbody Fusion (IBF)
- MACI
- Mallet, Hammer & Claw Toes
- Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries
- Meniscus Tears
- Metatarsalgia
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Muscle Spasms
- Muscle Strains of The Calf
- Nerve Pain
- Neuromas (Foot)
- Neurosurgery
- Olecranon Stress Fractures
- Orthopaedic Total Wellness
- Orthopedic Physician Or A Podiatrist? Definition of a Podiatrist
- Orthopedic Trauma
- Osteoarthritis of the Hip
- Osteoporosis
- Outpatient Spine Surgery
- Partial Knee Replacement
- Patellar Fracture
- Pelvic Ring Fractures
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery (Hand) Revision
- Pinched Nerve
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Podiatry
- Primary Care Sports Medicine
- Quadriceps Tendon Tear
- Radial Tunnel Syndrome (Entrapment of the Radial Nerve)
- Revascularization of the Hand
- Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Shoulder
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Hand
- Robotics
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Runner's Knee
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Shin Splints
- Shoulder
- Shoulder Arthritis
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Shoulder Injury: Pain In The Overhead Athlete
- Shoulder Replacement
- Shoulder Separations
- Shoulder Socket Fracture (Glenoid Fracture)
- SLAP Tears & Repairs
- Spinal Fusion
- Spine
- Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis
- Sports Foot Injuries
- Sports Hernias (Athletic Pubalgia)
- Sports Medicine
- Sports Wrist and Hand Injuries
- Sprained Ankle
- Sprained Wrist Symptoms and Treatment
- Subacromial Decompression
- Sudden (Acute) Finger, Hand & Wrist Injuries
- Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR)
- Tendon Transfers of The Hand
- Tennis Elbow Treatment
- Thigh Fractures
- Thigh Muscle Strains
- Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries
- Total Ankle Replacement
- Total Hip Arthroplasty
- Total Hip Replacement - Anterior Approach
- Total Knee Replacement Surgery
- Trapezius Strain (Muscle Strain of The Upper Back)
- Traumatic Shoulder Instability
- Tricep Pain & Tendonitis
- Trigger Finger
- Turf Toe
- UCL (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) Injuries
- Ulnar Neuritis
- Valgus Extension Overload
- Vertebroplasty
- WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet)
- Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD)
- Wound Care
- Wrist Arthroscopy
- Wrist Fractures
- Wrist Tendonitis
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