About This Blog:
- Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine prefers minimally invasive techniques to traditional methods when performing spine surgery.
- This approach helps him avoid complications that may affect a patient’s overall health and wellbeing. While minimally invasive spine surgery is, to some degree, safer than traditional methods, complications can still arise.
- In this blog, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine explains how your age may affect your post-surgical outcomes.
People often say “age is just a number,” but when it comes to spine surgery, age can make a difference in your post-surgical recovery and outcome. According to a study published in Spine (http://www.beckersspine.com/spine/item/29507-how-age-affects-cervical-spine-surgery-outcomes-cost-7-key-notes.html), patients over the age of 65 have higher comorbidity rates compared to patients between the ages of 25 and 64.
During the study, researchers discovered 11% of older patients reported complications after spine surgery compared to 5.93% of younger patients. The researchers studied the post-surgical outcomes of patients who had an anterior and/or posterior cervical fusion or laminoplasty performed.
Regardless of the type of surgery, older patients may have an increased risk of complications compared to younger patients with spine injuries and conditions. The study highlights how these complications affect a patient’s financial well-being and their length of stay in a hospital. On average, patients in the study who were over the age of 65 spent about 4.7 days in the hospital compared to the younger patients who spent approximately 3.6 days in the hospital.
Despite the results of this study, minimally invasive spine surgery is a much more lucrative choice when it comes to a patient’s recovery and financial state, regardless of their age. Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine is a neurosurgeon who specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, so he understands the inner workings of the nervous system and how delicate it can be.
To ensure patients experience a smooth recovery, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine takes the time to check in with them regularly. He also encourages patients to undergo supplemental treatment at iLifestyle Destin, his post-surgical program that improves a patient’s overall well-being through nutrition, chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical conditioning, and more. If you have questions regarding your age and spinal health, call NeuroMicroSpine today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Giovanini!
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.