Return-to-Sport Rate, Type of Sport, Frequency of Participation, and Patient Satisfaction After Elective Spinal Surgery in the Elderly Population.

BACKGROUND

The number of elderly sports participants is increasing, and the possibility of return to sport (RTS) has become an important part of surgical decision making in this population.

PURPOSE

To investigate RTS after elective spinal surgery in elderly patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

We enrolled patients aged ≥65 years with a history of preoperative or preinjury sports participation who underwent elective spinal surgery at a single institution between 2019 and 2021. At minimum 12-month follow-up, a questionnaire was administered to each participant to assess postoperative RTS, timing of return, frequency and type of pre- and postoperative activities, and satisfaction (scored 1-10). Descriptive statistical analyses were performed, and regression models were developed to examine the influence of age and sex, as well as surgical site, on RTS.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patients (mean ± SD age, 73.8 ± 5.2 years; 24 women) were included, and 23 (43.4%) returned to sports at a median 6 months (interquartile range, IQR, 2-6 months). The RTS rate by surgical site was 17 of 34 (50%) for the lumbar spine and 6 of 17 (35.3%) for the cervical spine. There were no statistically significant differences in RTS rate by surgical site, age, or sex. Overall, 6 of 17 patients returned to golf, 4 of 6 to dance, 2 of 5 to swimming, and 1 of 5 to tennis. Of patients who returned, 34.8% participated in sports 5 times per week and 26.1% participated 3 times per week. The median satisfaction score after RTS was 8 (IQR, 6-9).

CONCLUSION

RTS after spinal surgery was achieved in 43% patients at 1-year minimum follow-up, with high satisfaction scores. More than half of the returning patients participated in sports activities ≥3 times per week.