Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Neck and Back Pain in the Elderly.

Steven N. Kalkanis1, Lawrence Borges

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Skalkanis@partners.org

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|April 3, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Surgical intervention for neck and back pain in elderly patients can improve quality of life when conservative treatments fail. Early recognition and referral are key for optimal outcomes in older adults with spinal conditions.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Does a "Western Lifestyle" Confer a Higher Burden of Colorectal Cancer? A Comparison of EU15+ Countries versus Global Trends between 1990 and 2019.

Cancers·2024
Same author

Dynamic mapping of the corticospinal tract in open cordotomy and myelomeningocele surgery.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia·2020
Same author

Long-term Phase 1/2 intraspinal stem cell transplantation outcomes in ALS.

Annals of clinical and translational neurology·2018
Same author

Trends in Narcotic and Corticosteroid Prescriptions in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States Ambulatory Care Setting from 2003 to 2011.

Inflammatory bowel diseases·2017
Same author

Risk Factors for Rehospitalization Within 90 Days in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel diseases·2015
Same author

A novel mouse model for neurotrophic keratopathy: trigeminal nerve stereotactic electrolysis through the brain.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2010

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Neurosurgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Spine Surgery

Background:

  • Elderly patients frequently experience chronic neck and back pain.
  • Conservative therapies are the initial recommended treatment for stable spinal conditions in older adults.
  • Elderly individuals may have a higher risk of spinal instability or neurological compression due to various factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of surgical intervention for neck and back pain in elderly patients when conservative measures are unsuccessful.
  • To emphasize the importance of optimizing risk-benefit profiles for elderly patients undergoing spinal treatment.
  • To highlight the need for early identification of conditions requiring immediate surgical intervention in the elderly population.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current spine literature supporting conservative management first.
  • Analysis of clinical scenarios necessitating prompt intervention for spinal instability or neurological compromise.
  • Discussion of treatment options for elderly patients with persistent neck and back pain.

Main Results:

  • Surgical intervention can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life for elderly patients without significant comorbidities when conservative therapies fail.
  • Elderly patients in good health can typically undergo surgical procedures with excellent results after conservative treatments are exhausted.
  • Timely recognition and referral to spine specialists can expedite appropriate care and optimize healthcare resource utilization.

Conclusions:

  • Surgical options are a viable and effective treatment for elderly patients with chronic neck and back pain if conservative approaches fail and the patient is in good health.
  • A qualified 'yes' can be given to elderly patients considering surgery for persistent spinal pain after conservative treatments have been exhausted.
  • Improved understanding of treatment options and early detection of urgent conditions are crucial for enhancing patient care in the growing elderly population.

Related Experiment Videos