Seniors urged to avoid four medical procedures

An article in a recent issue of AARP‘s magazine is warning its readers against four over-prescribed medical procedures often endured by seniors and urging them to carefully consider whether they really want to submit to these treatments. The procedures involve stents to treat stable angina; complex spinal fusions to treat stenosis; hysterectomies to treat uterine fibroids; and knee arthroscopies to treat osteoarthritis.

According to the article, these procedures “have questionable long-term outcomes for treating certain conditions, and some may even cause harm.” It is important for seniors to completely understand such things as the risks, poor outcomes and costs associated with a given treatment before they decide to undergo it. The more information patients have about prescribed treatments, the more they will become empowered and able to participate in their own care.

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