A cervical pinched nerve can cause severe pain and significantly disrupt daily activities. This was the case for Yani, a 44-year-old patient from Kosambi, who had been suffering from a three-level cervical pinched nerve since 2022. The pain was so intense that she sometimes had to isolate herself in the bathroom when it struck.
After undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) at RS Mandaya Royal Puri with neurosurgeon dr. Christian Ariono, Sp.BS-FTB, FINSS, FINPS, FICS, she experienced immediate improvement. “Before, everything hurt here. After the surgery, it was just gone. I truly feel lighter, back to normal,” she said.
She also expressed satisfaction with the hospital’s services. “In terms of cost, it’s better here. What we pay matches what we receive. The facilities are good, clean, and comfortable,” she added.
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MRI Evaluation: Three Points of Nerve Compression
MRI results revealed two primary issues causing her symptoms.
According to dr. Christian Ariono: “First, the curvature of the neck was no longer ideal. Normally, the cervical spine curves backward, but in this case, it was bending forward. Second, the nerves were compressed by these protruding discs.”
This means the patient not only had nerve compression from herniated discs but also an alignment problem in the cervical spine.
What Is ACDF?
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure for cervical pinched nerves performed through a small incision at the front of the neck.
The goals of ACDF are to:
- Remove the herniated disc that is compressing the nerve
- Correct cervical spine alignment
- Stabilize the spine using an implant
During the procedure, a surgical microscope is used for high precision, along with C-arm imaging to ensure the correct spinal level is treated. After removing the problematic disc, the space is replaced with a cage implant made from a combination of silicone and titanium to maintain spinal stability.
Enhanced Safety with Intraoperative Neuromonitoring
To improve surgical safety at RS Mandaya Royal Puri, including ACDF procedures, intraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM) technology is utilized.
dr. Christian explained: “For cervical spine surgery, we use intraoperative monitoring. I work alongside a neurologist who monitors the patient’s nerve function during the procedure so we can prevent nerve damage complications.”
This approach helps minimize the risk of nerve injury during surgery.
Faster-Than-Expected Surgery and Recovery
The operation, initially estimated to take around five hours, was successfully completed in just 3.5 hours. The procedure involved a small incision on the right front side of the neck using a minimally invasive, microscope-assisted technique.
By the second day after surgery, the patient reported complete relief from her previous pain.
“There’s no pain at all. Every time the doctor or nurses ask if I feel pain, I say none,” she shared.
Full recovery is estimated at approximately two months. However, patients can gradually resume light activities sooner, with certain limitations.
Why the Patient Chose Mandaya Royal Puri
In addition to the hospital’s proximity to her home, the patient felt more confident undergoing surgery at RS Mandaya Royal Puri.
She cited several reasons for her decision, including fast and well-coordinated administrative processes, a dedicated pre-surgery communication group for clear information sharing, comfortable and adequate room facilities, and competitive pricing compared to other hospitals with similar standards. She emphasized the importance of trust and confidence in the medical team before undergoing major surgery like ACDF.
Profile of dr. Christian Ariono, Neurosurgeon for Pinched Nerves
dr. Christian Ariono, Sp.BS, FICS is a neurosurgeon with extensive experience in treating pinched nerves, particularly in the cervical spine and other spinal regions. In addition to spinal nerve compression cases, he is skilled in performing nerve tumor surgeries, managing brain vascular disorders, and treating neurological diseases such as meningitis.
As a member of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) and the Indonesian Society of Neurological Surgeons (PERSPEBSI), dr. Christian is proficient in modern neurosurgical techniques. His expertise includes arthrospine procedures and Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), commonly used to manage complex pinched nerve cases with precision and safety.
dr. Christian Ariono practices at RS Mandaya Royal Puri with the following schedule:
- Monday: 08:00 – 16:00
- Tuesday: 08:00 – 12:00
- Wednesday: 08:00 – 16:00
- Thursday: 08:00 – 16:00
- Friday: 08:00 – 16:00
- Saturday: 08:00 – 16:00
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