ACDF (Neck Surgery from the Front)
For those suffering from neck-related pain, numbness, or weakness from a herniated disc that has not improved, ACDF is often the solution. Dr. Buchholz enters through the front of the neck, extracts the damaged disc, and joins the adjacent vertebrae together. Satisfying results, small incision, most people return to normal activity within a few weeks.
Board Certified
Neurosurgeon
15+ Years
Experience
5000+
Procedures Performed
Get In Touch
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward relief.
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This form is intended for scheduling purposes only and is not a HIPAA-compliant form. Please avoid sharing any sensitive medical information. By submitting, you consent to being contacted using the information provided.
What Is ACDF Surgery?
This is a surgery performed through a small incision at the front of your neck to relieve pressure on a nerve or the spinal cord. It is commonly recommended when a damaged disc is causing neck pain, arm pain, numbness, headaches, and/or weakness.
During the procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an implant or spacer to help stabilize the spine. Imaging such as MRI and X-rays are used before surgery to plan the procedure. The goal is to relieve pressure on the nerves, reduce pain, and improve strength, function, and stability. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, and you go home the same day. Patients with a desk job return to work typically 3-5 days after the surgery. If you have a more labor-intensive job, please ask your doctor when you may return.
30 Minutes
Same Day Procedure
General Anesthesia
2-6 Weeks Recovery
How It Works
01
Incision at the Front of the Neck
A small incision is made on one side of the neck. No muscle is cut through—it's moved aside. That's a big reason the recovery is shorter than people expect.
02
The Disc Comes Out
The damaged disc is removed. That's what's been pressing on the nerve—the arm pain, numbness, and weakness all trace back to it. Once it's out, the pressure is gone.
03
Spacer Goes In
An implant or bone graft fills the space the disc left behind. It holds the height between the vertebrae and gives the fusion something to form around.
04
Plated and Closed
A small plate and screws hold things in position while everything fuses. The incision is closed. The whole thing takes about 30 minutes. You go home the same day.
Ready to Get Some Answers?
Call (571) 399-6340 or request an appointment below. Dr. Buchholz will review your imaging and give you a straight answer about what's going on.
What This Treats
Herniated Cervical Disc
A ruptured or bulging disc in the neck pressing on a nerve root
Cervical Radiculopathy
Radiating arm pain, numbness, or weakness from nerve compression
Degenerative Disc Disease
Worn-down cervical discs causing instability and nerve compression
Cervical Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal putting pressure on the spinal cord
Arm Weakness or Grip Loss
Motor deficits from compressed nerve roots in the neck
Numbness & Tingling
Sensory changes in the hands, fingers, or arms from disc pressure
Bone Spurs
Osteophytes narrowing the nerve exits around a degenerating disc
Key Benefits
Arm Pain Goes Away
That's usually the main reason people come in. The nerve gets decompressed, and most patients notice the arm pain is already different when they wake up from surgery.
No Hospital Stay
Outpatient procedure. You're home the same day, not admitted for two nights. Most people are surprised by how manageable the first few days are.
Back to Work Fast
Desk job? Most patients are back in three to five days. The front-of-neck approach skips the muscle cutting that makes spine surgery recovery drag out.
Strength Comes Back
If the nerve compression caused weakness in the hand or arm, decompressing it gives the nerve room to recover. It takes a few weeks, but it comes back.
Recovery Timeline
Same Day
You go home
Once you're out of recovery, you leave. Plan on feeling wiped out from the anesthesia for the rest of that day. That's normal.
Days 3–5
Desk Work Is Fine
If your job is mostly sitting, you can usually go back within the first week. Walking around the house and short trips outside are encouraged from day one.
Weeks 2–4
Normal Life Mostly Returns
Driving, errands, and light activity most of it is back by week two or three. The sore throat and mild swallowing discomfort from the approach typically clears up within the first week.
3–6 Months
Fusion Is Solid
The bone fuses over several months. By that point most people are cleared for everything exercise, physical work, and all of it. If your job is labor-intensive, ask at your visit. The timeline depends on what the work actually involves.
Expert Spine Surgeon
Dr. Avery L. Buchholz is a board-certified neurosurgeon with fellowship training in complex spine surgery. With over 15 years of experience and 5,000+ procedures performed, he specializes in both minimally invasive and complex surgical techniques.
His expertise spans the full spectrum of spine care, from non-surgical interventions to advanced reconstructive procedures, always prioritizing patient safety and optimal outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about our practice and procedures
Is there a definite need for surgery?
Honestly, probably not. The majority of people who call us don't require surgery. Come in and we'll take a look at it; we'll tell you what we think.
I've been to other physicians and no one can tell me what the problem is. Can you help?
We hear this a lot. Dr. Buchholz reads your report and sits with you and explains your entire story. Those who've been bounced for years do get an answer here.
What's the difference between minimally invasive and regular spine surgery?
Open surgery involves a long incision and a lot of muscle being pushed out of the way: hence the brutal recovery. Minimally invasive reaches the same place, but with a much smaller opening. You leave the hospital sooner, and it's a much easier recovery.
Have insurance?
Yes. Before coming in, call to learn what your plan is and covers. These people are also paying out of pocket for our services.
Is the pain in the sciatic nerve, or back pain, always a disc issue?
No, it happens to people all the time, and half the time they're told it's wrong. Sciatica simply means that your leg hurts; whether it is a disc or stenosis or a bone spur, it does the same thing. It's necessary to get a proper scan to know what you're dealing with.
The back of my neck is the starting place for my headaches. Is it a backache?
It might very well be. And there is a whole category of headaches that don't come from the brain but from the upper neck joints. They move from the back of the head to the front and are exactly like a migraine. Worth checking: Doctors routinely neglect to do a cervical examination and simply prescribe migraine medication.
What do I need to do at my first appointment?
Any scans you have—best in MRI, CD, or disc format. Make note of any medications and consider when it started, what makes it worse, and what you've done to alleviate it. No imaging, call us first; we will do that before you arrive.
Our Locations
Serving patients across VA and the DC area
Falls Church, VA
6400 Arlington Blvd, Suite 710
Open
Alexandria, VA
6244A Little River Turnpike
Open
Richmond, VA
Address coming soon
Opening Soon
Charlottesville, VA
Address coming soon
Opening Soon
Washington, DC
Address coming soon
Opening Soon
Get In Touch
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward relief.
Address
6244 Little River Turnpike, Suite 101
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone
FAX
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
This form is intended for scheduling purposes only and is not a HIPAA-compliant form. Please avoid sharing any sensitive medical information.
By submitting, you consent to being contacted using the information provided.
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