Life quality after instrumented lumbar fusion in the elderly - PubMed (original) (raw)

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.