STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical outcome on elderly patients after spinal instrumented fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although lumbar fusion in elderly patients has increased rapidly, there are only few and conflicting results regarding the clinical outcome. METHODS: This retrospective review evaluated 195 patients aged 70 to 89 who underwent lumbar spinal fusion. All 195 patients had follow-ups after 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years, including clinical evaluation as well as visual analog scale score, Oswestry Disability Index, and Short Form health survey. RESULTS: Elderly patients benefit from spinal fusion. Back and leg pains were initially reduced by >50%, with a slight deterioration over a 2-year period. Pain medication was reduced in 69% of the patients, and 89.7% of the patients were satisfied. CONCLUSION: Age itself cannot be considered a contraindication.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical outcome on elderly patients after spinal instrumented fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although lumbar fusion in elderly patients has increased rapidly, there are only few and conflicting results regarding the clinical outcome. METHODS: This retrospective review evaluated 195 patients aged 70 to 89 who underwent lumbar spinal fusion. All 195 patients had follow-ups after 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years, including clinical evaluation as well as visual analog scale score, Oswestry Disability Index, and Short Form health survey. RESULTS: Elderly patients benefit from spinal fusion. Back and leg pains were initially reduced by >50%, with a slight deterioration over a 2-year period. Pain medication was reduced in 69% of the patients, and 89.7% of the patients were satisfied. CONCLUSION: Age itself cannot be considered a contraindication.
Authors: Graham Seow-Hng Goh; You Wei Adriel Tay; Ming Han Lincoln Liow; Cheryl Gatot; Zhixing Marcus Ling; Poh Ling Fong; Reuben Chee Cheong Soh; Chang Ming Guo; Wai-Mun Yue; Seang-Beng Tan; John Li-Tat Chen Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2020-04 Impact factor: 4.755