The world’s population is steadily growing older. Along with increased age comes a variety of age-related health problems, and degenerative spine diseases constitute a common health problem in older persons.

Spine surgery can improve quality of life in many patients with damaged or deteriorating spinal components. This is true for older patients as well as for younger ones. But what about patients in the upper range of elderly, those 80 years of age or older? Is spine surgery advisable in this group and what risks does it carry?

Seven spine centers with board-certified spine surgeons participated in the study. The patient group consisted of 270 patients, 80 years or older, who underwent elective spine surgery in 2017. (Patients with tumors, infection, or trauma were not included.)

The total complication rate in the study was 20%. Complications at the surgical site occurred in 22 patients (8.1%), and minor systemic complications (anemia, delirium, or urinary tract infection) occurred in 40 patients (14.8%). No patient experienced a major systemic complication (one that could be potentially life-threatening or lead to prolonged hospitalization), and no patient died. The rate of repeated operations was 4.1%. On the basis of their findings, the authors conclude that it is safe to perform spine surgery in patients of advanced age.

However, there is another treatment for low back pain for those over 80 with even less risk of complications: hands-on chiropractic care by medical professionals with specialized training in treating low back pain, with no need for recuperation from surgery or opioid-based pain medicines. If surgery is deemed safe for those in their 80s, then surely chiropractic care should be an even safer bet.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.