Is there an age limit for spinal surgery?

Conclusions: Elective spinal surgery in patients older than 90 years of age does not reduce life expectancy and has a good functional outcome for well-selected patients, whereas emergency surgery and stabilization surgery in this age group are associated with a high rate of complications and higher mortality.

Is 70 too old for back surgery?

Conclusion. Spinal fixation and fusion in patients older than 75 years old grants good results in terms of quality of life but the rate of morbidity is higher than standard spine surgery. Rate of fusion especially is still a critical point.

What is the average age for back surgery?

According to the article, the average age for spinal fusions in 1998 was 48.8 years old and rose to 54.3 years old by 2008. Approximately 26.5 percent of patients were over the age of 65 by 2008, well over the 18.5 percent of patients who were older than 65 in 1998.

Do herniated disc get worse with age?

These discs can become weakened over time as you age. This can increase the risk of a herniated disc, also called a ruptured disc. When this happens, the jelly-like nucleus substance leaks out into the spinal canal, putting pressure on the nerves.

Is spinal fusion a high risk surgery?

Spinal fusion is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, spinal fusion carries the potential risk of complications. Potential complications include: Infection.

What age is best for spinal fusion?

Some experts believe that surgery should be delayed until the child is at least 10 years old and preferably 12 because surgery stops the growth of the part of the spine that is fused. But in some situations, early surgery can’t be avoided.

What is the success rate of back surgery?

One study estimated the success rate for back surgeries to be about 50\%. This estimate is conservative, as most success rates depend on a wide variety of factors. Your health, specific surgery, source of pain and any surgery complications influence whether or not your procedure will be effective.

Is back surgery worth the risk?

Back surgery might be an option if conservative treatments haven’t worked and your pain is persistent and disabling. Back surgery often more predictably relieves associated pain or numbness that goes down one or both arms or legs. These symptoms often are caused by compressed nerves in your spine.

Should an 80 year old have back surgery?

A new study appearing in the February 4th issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) found that those 80 and older can derive significant benefit from surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis with and without degenerative spondylolisthesis.

When should you have disc surgery?

Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven’t helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.

What are the drawbacks of spinal fusion?

There’s a small risk of bleeding, infection, blood clots, or nerve damage. This is true for any surgery. Spinal fusion risks include a chance that you may feel pain at the spot where the bones are fused. And sometimes the fusion doesn’t take because there’s not enough bone formation.

When is back surgery an option for me?

Back surgery might be an option if conservative treatments haven’t worked and your pain is persistent and disabling. Back surgery often more predictably relieves associated pain or numbness that goes down one or both arms or legs.

What are the risks of back surgery for a herniated disc?

Most people have no problems with back surgery for a herniated disc. But as for most surgeries, there are some risks: There is a slight risk of damaging nerves or the spine during surgery.

When is it time to consider surgery for spinal stenosis?

If conservative measures such as pain relievers and physical therapy are not controlling the pain and it affects your ability to get around, surgery may be worth considering. The most common procedure for stenosis is called laminectomy, which involves removing the bony plate (lamina) on the back of a vertebra.

Should men with aging spines be wary of spinal fusion?

But men with aging spines should be wary of fusion and its false promises, says Dr. Steven Atlas, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Based on the evidence, the indications for fusion are few and far between, but that doesn’t stop surgeons from doing them or patients from getting them.”