Perioperative care of patients undergoing spinal stabilization with internal fixation (continuing education credit)

1. Low back pain affects approximately 80% of the adult population. There are between 200,000 and 500,000 spinal surgeries performed every year. 2. New spinal implant systems offer hope for persons with failed spinal surgery--as well as for those with spinal fractures, metastatic disease, and severe degenerative disorders. 3. Although complications can develop, the benefits of new spinal fixation systems far outweigh the problems.