Geriatric Spinal Cord Injury: Complications, Fixation Strategies, and Biology of Recovery

Geriatric spinal cord injury (SCI) is an increasingly significant global healthcare challenge, driven by an ageing population, rising frailty, osteoporosis and a growing incidence of falls and degenerative spinal conditions. This 90-minute evidence-based webinar will explore the unique biological, surgical and rehabilitation challenges associated with SCI in older adults. Through expert presentations, interactive audience polling and case-based discussions, participants will examine the biological changes that limit recovery after SCI, the predictors of mortality and functional outcomes in elderly patients, and the complexities of managing complications such as delirium, respiratory compromise and pressure injuries. The session will also address fixation strategies for osteoporotic and ankylosed spine injuries, highlighting practical approaches to surgical decision-making and implant failure prevention. Using real-world clinical cases, faculty experts will discuss operative versus non-operative management, perioperative risk assessment, rehabilitation expectations and emerging research priorities aimed at improving outcomes for this vulnerable patient population. Attendees will leave with practical insights and evidence-based strategies that can be applied directly to the care of older adults with spinal cord injury.