The Impact of Multimodal Prehabilitation on Patient-Reported Outcomes for a Frail Octogenarian Undergoing Multilevel Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Case Report

Abstract

This case report presents the perioperative optimization pathway of a frail octogenarian who underwent multilevel lumbar spinal fusion surgery. This patient was enrolled in a multimodal prehabilitation program for frail older adults. The multimodal prehabilitation program includes preoperative interventions that prevent further decline in physiological functions before spine surgery. The program focuses on physical exercise, nutritional intervention, and pain neuroscience education. Six weeks postoperatively, clinical and patient-reported outcomes improved in the categories targeted by the preoperative interventions and surgery. This report suggests that prehabilitation is feasible for preoperatively optimizing frail older adults undergoing complex spine surgery.