Spinal surgery in older people: indications, techniques and outcomes

Abstract

SummaryThis article provides an overview of spine surgery in older people and reviews outcome and novel techniques. Improvements in pain, disability, and quality of life can be expected following surgery and demand for surgery of this type is likely to increase as the mean age of the population increases. Novel techniques and improved intsrumentation offer surgical treatments for conditions that were previously untreatable and show encouraging early results.