HCPCS 22551

Arthrodesis, anterior interbody, including disc space preparation, discectomy, osteophytectomy and decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve roots; cervical below C2

AI EXPLANATION: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is a neck surgery performed through a small incision in the front of the throat to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and irritated nerve roots. The surgeon carefully removes a damaged or herniated spinal disc and smooths away any nearby bone spurs. To keep the neck stable, the empty space between the vertebrae is filled with a specialized bone graft or spacer, enabling the adjacent spinal bones to join together into a single, solid bone over time.