Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Primer on Treating Chronic Neck Pain

Dr. Kaixuan Liu, Medical Director with Atlantic Spine Center with Tips on Surgery to Fix Certain Causes of Stubborn Neck Pain.


News provided by

Atlantic Spine Center

Mar 06, 2020, 10:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

Dr. Kaixuan Liu
Dr. Kaixuan Liu

WEST ORANGE, N.J., March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Millions of people experience neck and arm pain stemming from problems with vertebral discs running down the neck, also known as the cervical spine. But when conservative treatments don't ease the pain, surgery known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion may spell relief, according to Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, founder and Medical Director of Atlantic Spine Center.

Among the top causes of neck pain are herniated or ruptured cervical discs, which can happen due to aging, wear-and-tear, or sudden trauma such as an accident, Dr. Liu says. When discs deteriorate significantly, the gel-filled center can escape from the hard outer shell, compressing nearby nerve roots and triggering pain, numbness and weakness.

Called anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the surgery that can repair this damage involves cutting out the disc from the front (anterior) part of the neck. The emptied disc space is then filled with a bone graft, bridging the two surrounding vertebrae to create a spinal fusion.

Post this

Called anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the surgery that can repair this damage involves cutting out the disc from the front (anterior) part of the neck. The emptied disc space is then filled with a bone graft, bridging the two surrounding vertebrae to create a spinal fusion.

"You might be a good candidate for anterior cervical discectomy if diagnostic imaging shows you have a herniated or degenerative disc that causes marked weakness in your arm or hand, and arm pain that's even worse than your neck pain," explains Dr. Liu, who is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive spine surgery.

What happens during anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?
Surgery is typically reserved only for those whose neck pain and other symptoms haven't improved with medication, exercise, injections or physical therapy. "About 90% of patients with these symptoms will get better with conservative treatments within 6 weeks, but this surgery is a solid option for those who don't," Dr. Liu says.

What's involved in this procedure?

  • Through a small incision at the front of the neck, the surgeon moves aside neck muscles and the airway, exposing the patient's disc and vertebrae.
  • Using a special X-ray, the surgeon locates the affected vertebra and disc(s).
  • One or more discs are removed with surgical tools, depending on the extent of a patient's condition. A retractor is used to spread apart vertebrae surrounding the damaged disc.
  • Any bone spurs pressing on nerve roots surrounding the damaged disc are removed.
  • Bone graft material is inserted into the now-empty disc space. Derived from the patient, a cadaver or a man-made product, the bone graft may be fixed in place with metal plates and screws.
  • The incision is closed and the patient is placed in a post-operative recovery area.

A major benefit of performing the surgery through the front of the neck is the ability to reach the affected disc(s) without disturbing the spinal cord, nerves or neck muscles, Dr. Liu notes. Also, most patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion are able to go home the same day as the procedure, he says.

What's recovery like?
Since it's the most common surgical procedure used to treat damaged discs in the neck, anterior cervical discectomy has become increasingly advanced in recent years, helping reduce post-operative pain and speed patients' recovery, Dr. Liu says.

While full recovery may take 4 to 6 weeks, patients are made comfortable right after surgery with medication. Some patients experience a sore throat, hoarseness or trouble swallowing, which should also resolve within days to weeks. A few restrictions are put in place at first, such as avoiding sitting for long periods, bending your head forward or backward, or lifting items heavier than 5 pounds, Dr. Liu explains.

A cervical collar or brace is sometimes worn to provide the patient with neck support and limit motion as the bone graft fuses. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy and exercises to pave the way for better range of motion in your neck, once healed.

"For the vast majority of patients who undergo anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the surgery is successful in finally relieving their neck and arm pain," Dr. Liu says. "Patients can improve the odds of lasting results by practicing proper lifting techniques, keeping good posture, exercising appropriately, and controlling their weight. This procedure offers hope to those living with chronic pain, numbness or other symptoms that take away from their quality of life."

Atlantic Spine Center is a nationally recognized leader for endoscopic spine surgery with several locations in NJ and NYC. http://www.atlanticspinecenter.com, http://www.atlanticspinecenter.nyc

Kaixuan Liu, MD, is a board-certified physician, fellowship-trained in minimally invasive spine surgery at Atlantic Spine Center.

SOURCE Atlantic Spine Center

Related Links

http://www.atlanticspinecenter.com

Modal title

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.