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• In 2020, 6.7 million individuals in the United States were older than 85. This is projected to increase to 12.6 million in 20601

• The risk of developing many spinal conditions increases with age2,3,4

• Decreases in disk height changes the loadbearing properties of the spine

• Decreased bone density makes the vertebrae susceptible to fracture

• Weakening of spinal ligaments predispose to disc degeneration

• Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum and susceptibility to disk herniation can lead to spinal stenosis

• Damage of the cervical spinal cord can manifest as weakness and clumsiness in the upper extremities and gait disturbances2, while lumbar spinal cord damage often presents with severe pain and decreased mobility

• Upper extremity weakness and clumsiness may leave patients unable to adequately feed themselves or perform other activities of daily living (ADLs)4, while gait disturbances are correlated with falls6,7,8,9, fractures7,8, and increased mortality10 • Reduced mobility is correlated with an increased risk of developing thromboemboli11,12, pneumonia13, heart disease4, and increased mortality14,15

• Back pain in elderly individuals is correlated with inability to perform ADLs, functional impairment, sleep disorders, depressive symptoms, increased use of healthcare resources, heart disease, and mortality4

• Elderly individuals present with spinal conditions more frequently than younger individuals and may greatly benefit from receiving surgery4. However, age is a known risk factor for surgical complications16, particularly spine surgery17

• The question of how old is too old remains to be answered18. This study hopes to identify the relative rates of surgical complications and range of outcomes in elderly patients to determine whether super-elderly patients are likely to benefit from spinal surgery

Publication Date

5-2025

Keywords

spinal conditions

Disciplines

Neurosurgery

Comments

The Embark Capstone Colloquium at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester Hills, MI, May, 2025.

Understanding the Effect of Advanced Patient Age on Outcomes and Complications of Spinal Surgery

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