ASSI’s Instructional Course in Spine (ICS 2014) titled
“The Ageing Spine” to focus on the
Knowledge and Management of Geriatric Spinal Problems
Jaipur, In order to exchange knowledge about the management of geriatric spinal
problems, Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) is organizing an Instructional Course in Spine (ICS 2014) -“The
Ageing Spine” in collaboration with AO Spine International from 15th
to 17th August 2014 in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The Spine Society Delhi
Chapter is organizing the course on behalf of ASSI.
“Spinal problems are
quite common in geriatric patients because of degenerative and other ageing
changes. Problems like lumbar canal stenosis, cervical spondylotic myelopathy,
osteoporosis, spinal tumors, and degenerative deformity are generally seen in geriatric
population only. And the good news is
that most such problems can be managed conservatively without any surgery. However
for those requiring surgical management, advancements in anesthesia and
surgical techniques have resulted in good outcomes for most of the geriatric
problems, provided timely intervention is done”, says Dr. Sajan Hegde,
President-ASSI, Consultant Spine Surgeon & Head, Department of
Orthopaedics, Apollo
Hospitals
“With increasing
life expectancy due to advancements in healthcare, the percentage of population
in the elderly age group is increasing progressively. As per WHO and the National
Institute of Health and Ageing (USA), globally the number of people aged 65 or
older is projected to grow from an estimated 524 million in 2010 to nearly 1.5
billion in 2050, representing 16% of the world’s population. Between 2010 and
2050, the elderly population in less developed countries is projected to
increase more than 250% compare to 71% increase in developed countries. The
Geriatric population in India K.J.
Somaiya Medical
College
“The management of spinal problems in geriatric
patients becomes more complicated due to pre-existing co-morbid factors like
diabetes, hypertension, respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Impaired
cognitive and motor functions, also commonly seen in the elderly population,
further add to the challenge. Surgical management, where required, also becomes
challenging, not only due to the co-morbid
factors which increase the incidence of complications of anesthesia and
immobilization, but also due to osteoporosis which makes the fixation
challenging,” adds Dr. H.S. Chhabra, Secretary, ASSI & Medical Director,
Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.
ASSI feels that most
of these age related spinal problems can be managed with proper care if the
geriatric community is well aware of the early symptoms which could alert them
to seek timely medical attention.
“It is important to
understand that most of these problems can be managed with good outcomes. The
geriatric community should be aware of the early signs and symptoms of
geriatric spinal ailments (back/neck pain with or without radiation to the legs
and arms with or without trauma) so that they could seek medical attention well
in time. They should especially understand the red-flags which should alert
them to seek immediate medical attention. Such red-flags include night pain,
difficulty in bowel and bladder control, progressive loss of weight / power in
legs and arms,” says Dr Saumyajit Basu, Jt. Secretary ASSI & Sr Consultant
Spine Surgery, Park Clinic, Kolkatta.
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