333. New study shows the risks of surgery in older adults
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Surgery poses substantial risks for older adults, according to a new study published in JAMA Surgery. Researchers at Yale School of Medicine analyzed Medicare data as well as data from the National Health and Aging Trends study. They found that almost 1 in 7 older adults die within a year of undergoing major surgery. Having dementia, frailty, and undergoing emergency surgery increased the risk of surgery for seniors. Chronic medical conditions like heart or kidney disease, having trouble moving around, and having less ability to take care of themselves also led to higher surgery risks. Finally, age was a significant risk factor. Patients who were 90 or older were six times as likely to die after surgery than adults between 65 and 69.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
