Function After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery: Timing of Physical Therapy

Inclusion Criteria: * Surgical treatment of a cervical degenerative condition using a 1- or 2-level ACDF procedure; * English speaking due to feasibility of employing study personnel to deliver and assess the study intervention; and * Age 18-75 years of age (individuals older than 75 are more likely to experience respiratory and nervous system complications and death following ACDF) Exclusion Criteria: * Surgery secondary to trauma, fracture, tumor, infection, or spinal deformity; * Undergoing cervical corpectomy; * Prior history of cervical spine surgery in last 5 years; * Diagnosis or presence of osteoporosis; * Diagnosis or presence of severe psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; * Documented history of alcohol and/or drug abuse; * Currently involved in litigation due to injury; * Currently undergoing treatment for cancer; * Patients not able to return for follow-up visits due to time and travel limitation or other reasons; and * Unable to provide a stable telephone or physical address