I was recently advised to have surgery to cure my long-standing back pain. In view of my advanced age (I am currently 60 years old), kindly let me know if this is good advice.
Sanni (by SMS)
Yes, a 60-year-old man can have back surgery, but age alone is not the only factor that determines whether surgery is safe or appropriate. While age is a risk factor for surgery, some elderly patients have good outcomes, and some even do better than younger patients. If the pain is caused by a specific spinal disc, surgery may be an option.
A herniated disc can press on a nerve root or the spinal cord, causing pain that radiates down the leg. For nonspecific low back pain, conservative treatments like physical therapy, heat and ice therapy, and weight and stress management are often recommended before surgery. Back pain can also be caused by a tumor, infection, or cauda equina syndrome, which is a nerve root problem. In these cases, surgery may be recommended right away.
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