Although the cost of cervical disc replacement and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery costs are similar, long-term costs are different, according to a study in the April issue of Spine.
Researchers used a commercial insurance claims database to analyze data from patients who had one- or two-level ACDF and cervical disc replacements between Jan. 1, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2017. A total 2,304 patients were included — 1,723 ACDF patients and 581 disc replacement patients.
Prices for the surgeries were similar with ACDF mean costs of $26,819, and disc replacement mean costs of $25,954. However postoperative care — which includes physical therapy, pain medication, injections, psychological treatment and additional spine surgeries — cost less for disc replacements after 30 days, 90 days and two years.