ACDF C6–C7 Surgery: A Patient Guide

Its purpose may be to relieve pressure on a nerve root, protect a compressed spinal cord, or address both. The surgeon removes the C6–C7 disc and any accessible material causing compression, prepares the adjacent bone surfaces, inserts the chosen implant or graft, and may secure the level with a plate and screws.

At C6–C7, disc degeneration, a protrusion, or bony narrowing may reduce space around neural tissue. When a nerve root is affected, cervical radiculopathy can present with neck-to-arm pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Spinal-cord compression has a different significance and can present with declining hand control, balance disturbance, or stiffness and weakness in the legs.

The label C6–C7 describes anatomy, not the severity of a person’s condition. Operative planning depends on how well the symptoms and neurological findings correspond with imaging, whether function is deteriorating, and what suitable treatment has already been tried.

Tell the care team about swallowing difficulty, voice changes, dental appliances, allergies, nicotine exposure, prior neck surgery, and all medicines or supplements. Use the hospital’s instructions for fasting and medication changes. Arrange a responsible adult for transport and make the home easier to navigate without overhead reaching or heavy household tasks.

Following surgery, use the discharge plan as the controlling guide. Take prescribed treatment correctly, inspect the incision as instructed, and increase walking and daily activity in comfortable stages. Do not add neck strengthening, manual treatment, driving, or lifting simply because pain has eased; clearance also considers healing, coordination, and medication use.

Call emergency services if breathing becomes difficult, swelling at the surgical site expands quickly, or swallowing saliva becomes impossible. Sudden substantial arm or leg weakness, collapse in walking ability, new loss of bladder or bowel control, or an abrupt coordination problem also needs emergency assessment.

Reach the surgeon promptly for fever, pus or fluid from the wound, redness that is spreading, separation of the incision, worsening voice or swallowing symptoms, or pain that continues to intensify despite the prescribed regimen. New tingling or weakness should be described by location and onset rather than assumed to be routine healing.

Ask whether the main target is a nerve root, the spinal cord, or both, and which current symptoms are linked to C6–C7. Request an explanation of the proposed cage or graft and fixation, possible effects on swallowing and voice, and why fusion is favored over other options. Confirm when follow-up occurs, how healing is assessed, which activities need formal clearance, and where to seek help outside clinic hours.