Spinal diseases in the elderly

Zeljko Kojadinovic, MD- Neurosurgeon and Pain Specialist

Spinal diseases in the elderly

Zeljko Kojadinovic, MD- Neurosurgeon and Pain Specialist

Most people over the age of 60, 70, and especially 80 suffer from back pain. This pain is often intense and long-lasting and makes their daily activities significantly more difficult. In addition to this, they often have associated diseases. As all organs grow old, so does the spine. Therefore, images of the spine (MRI and X-ray) show numerous spinal degenerative changes. Often, the recording with numerous changes and associated diseases are “reasons” not to treat an elderly patient. The usual explanation is that a major operation is needed which is risky for them. From our experience, we can say that the cause of pain in these patients is often just one of these degenerative changes or even none of them. The cause of the pain is detected by analyzing all the pain details, not simply by analyzing a single MRI (we don’t treat the images). Consequently, these patients do not usually require major surgery, but rather an individually-prescribed combination of modern medications or sometimes less invasive interventions to treat pain. Even if they require surgery, in most cases, despite the picture of “severe and extensive” degenerative changes, it does not have to be a big surgery because it is performed only on the degenerative change that currently causes pain.

The main task is to diagnose what the source of pain is and afterward to prescribe an adequate combination of medication. This combination of medication is always individual and should be adjusted through regular contact with the patient over the first 10 days of treatment. At the beginning of this period the pain should be significantly reduced or completely resolved. This should continue throughout the 6 weeks in order to achieve long-lasting results. To ensure this, the doctor must be available to the patient at any time during this period so that he can easily contact him if the pain increases. Sometimes interventional diagnostic and therapeutic methods are indicated.

By our approach, we can do this and tailor the combination of modern medications specific just for you. Contact us for a consultation.