Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as an adverse collateral event in spine surgery

Patients undergoing elective lumbar spine fusion experience symptoms of PTSD relating to their surgeries in substantial numbers. While pre-operative symptoms of psychiatric distress or psychiatric diagnoses are risk factors for such symptoms, many patients without such “red flags” also report these effects. In addition, the ultimate clinical benefit reported by patients experiencing post-operative symptoms of PTSD is reduced when compared to patients without such symptoms. Recognition and management of such concerns peri-operatively may offer an avenue to enhance clinical outcomes and improve patient experience following elective lumbar fusion.