Nearly 19 million older adults experiencepainand almost 75% have pain in multiple areas.While age-related pain tends to be common, it can be prevented, treated, and managed.
Most adults who are pain-free when they are 55 can live most of their remaining years without pain.Additionally, many people can live active, healthy lives with minimal pain as theyage.
Learn about the causes of increased pain with age, prevention, treatment options, and more.
Why Does Pain Increase With Age?
A lot is still unknown when it comes to pain in older adults.Some research suggests pain tolerance decreases with age, while other research suggests it increases.Regardless of how older adults perceive pain, many physical changes in the body can lead to it.
Joint Pain
Different types of joint pain can develop with age as the body changes, though not all changes lead to pain. For example, not all people withosteoarthritis, the most common cause of physical disability in older adults, experience pain with this condition.There are many reasons for joint pain, and treatment options will vary depending on the source.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Sources of Joint Pain
Some causes of joint pain are more common with age. For example, arotator cuff tear(injury to the shoulder joint) affects up to 80% of people aged 80 or older.In addition, stiffness and pain may occur whenligaments(which hold bones to other bones) andtendons(which hold muscles to bones) lose some of their water, or whencartilage(cushions between bones) breaks down.
Causes of Joint Pain in Older AdultsAutoimmune diseases, includingrheumatoid arthritisDeterioration of cartilage, ligaments, and tendonsGoutOsteoarthritisRotator cuff tear
Causes of Joint Pain in Older Adults
Autoimmune diseases, includingrheumatoid arthritisDeterioration of cartilage, ligaments, and tendonsGoutOsteoarthritisRotator cuff tear
Treating Joint Pain
Treatment for joint pain depends on the cause of the pain and the individual. For instance, a rotator cuff tear may be treated with a combination of rest, strengthening exercises, and medications, or surgery if it is severe.
Joint Pain Treatment in Older AdultsMedicationsPhysical therapyRestSurgeryWeight loss
Joint Pain Treatment in Older Adults
MedicationsPhysical therapyRestSurgeryWeight loss
Staying Active With Joint Pain
While it may seem like physical activity should be avoided with joint pain, that is often not true.Exerciseis recommended as a treatment for many types of joint pain, including knee pain and pain in other joints from osteoarthritis.Before starting any new exercise routines, check with a healthcare provider regarding limitations and other considerations.
Older people experiencing arthritis and other forms of joint pain are encouraged to begin slowly and chooselow-impact physical activityoptions that are easier on the joints, such as:
Low-Back Pain
Whilelow-back paincan occur at any age, the risk increases as you get older; up to 75% of people over age 60 have lower back pain.It can interfere with daily life and may even lead to disability.The most common cause of low-back pain is arthritis of the spine, which happens when the joints in thespinedeteriorate over time.
Some other causes of lower back pain in older adults include:
Treating Lower Back Pain
Treatmentfor lower back pain partially depends on the cause of the pain. Spinal infections may be treated withantibiotics, while physical therapy and pain medications (analgesics) may treat arthritis of the spine.Behavioral approaches, such ascognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), have also been found to relieve low-back pain.
Low-Back Pain TreatmentsAntibioticsoranti-inflammatory medicationsPain medications (oral or injected), including Tylenol (acetaminophen),nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), COX-2 inhibitors, and/oropioid analgesicsBehavioral approachesChiropractic careand ice or heat applied to the areaCBTPhysical movement or low-impact exercisePhysical therapy, stretching, or strengthening exercisesRestSurgery
Low-Back Pain Treatments
Antibioticsoranti-inflammatory medicationsPain medications (oral or injected), including Tylenol (acetaminophen),nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen), COX-2 inhibitors, and/oropioid analgesicsBehavioral approachesChiropractic careand ice or heat applied to the areaCBTPhysical movement or low-impact exercisePhysical therapy, stretching, or strengthening exercisesRestSurgery
Falls and Fractures
Over 25% of adults age 65 or olderfalleach year, and thousands of older adultsbreak a bone.Falls and fractures are common concerns for older adults, especially women with osteoarthritis. About 1 in 3 women over age 50 will break a bone related to osteoporosis.
In addition to injury, this is a significant concern for older adults, as people age 70 and older have an increased risk of death after a fall. In one study, 4.5% of people 70 or older died after a ground-level fall compared to 1.5% of a younger population.
These falls, if not deadly, also impact long-term mobility, overall health, and independence.In the same study, people age 70 and older had longer hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays than their younger counterparts; only 22% could function independently once released vs. 41% of the younger adults who had fallen.
However, there are ways to reduce the risks of serious, long-term effects from a fall.
What to Do When You Fall
After a fall, staying calm and preventing further injury is important. Ways to do this include:
Treating a Fracture
Treating a fracture depends on the location of the break, the severity, and other factors related to the individual and their injury. For example, ahip fractureis a common injury in older adults that may or may not require surgery.
Sometimes, a technique calledtractionis used to pull different parts of the body to help stretch the area around the broken bone for healing.With most fractures, it is also important to use a splint or cast to keep the area from moving.
Fracture TreatmentSettingthe bone in place for healingCast, splint, or bootSurgeryTractionMedication for pain,inflammationand/or swellingRestPhysical therapy exercises
Fracture Treatment
Settingthe bone in place for healingCast, splint, or bootSurgeryTractionMedication for pain,inflammationand/or swellingRestPhysical therapy exercises
Preventing Falls and Fractures
One of the best ways to address issues around falls and fractures in older people is to prevent them.Assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, handrails, and transition chairs, can help to maintain control during daily activities.
Ways to help strengthen bones include:
Fear of FallingPeople with osteoporosis often live with the fear of falling and situations that could lead to fractured bones.This may restrict them from participating fully in daily life.
Fear of Falling
People with osteoporosis often live with the fear of falling and situations that could lead to fractured bones.This may restrict them from participating fully in daily life.
Other Types of Pain
In addition to joint pain, lower back pain, and pain associated with falls and fractures, there are other types of pain that older adults may experience. Widespread pain is pain experienced throughout the body or in multiple areas. It affects about 12% of older adults, most of whom are women.
Additionally, some older adults may experience pain from multiple sources simultaneously, making treatment more difficult.For example, an older adult with a fractured hip may also experience pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndromeoccurs when the median nerve in the wrist (a major nerve that goes from your armpit to your hand) is squeezed or compressed.Older adults, especially those over age 65, are more likely to experience carpal tunnel syndrome than younger people.
Treatment includes wearing a splint, avoiding movements and activities that increasesymptoms, taking medications to reduce swelling and relieve pain, having surgery, and practicingyoga.
Knee Pain
Injuries and regular wear and tear cancause knee pain. Osteoarthritis can also affect the knees in older adults when the cartilage cushion wears down. Excess weight or obesity can put extra pressure on the joints, including the knees, causing new or worsening pain.Knee pain can be treatedwith medications, surgery, physical therapy, or weight loss if overweight or obese.
Muscle Stiffness
As people age, the tissues that connect muscles to bones lose water, causing stiffness and muscle pain.Theaging process, in general, can also make it more challenging to be physically active, leading to stiff muscles and pain.Physical therapy and a slow, careful increase in physical activity can help treat stiffness.
Tendonitis
Tendonitisis a condition that involves inflammation of the tendons (tissues that connect muscles to bones).This condition is more common with age, especially in certain body areas, such as the shoulder or rotator cuff.Treatment includes resting, applying ice, wearing a supportive bandage, and avoiding movement and activities that worsen symptoms.
Seeking Care for Pain
Paintreatment becomes more complicated with age due to the increased likelihood of multiple health concerns and medications in older people. If you’re experiencing pain, seeking care from practitioners specializing in older adults can be helpful.
Speak with your healthcare provider about what current medications you’re taking, and what type of pain medication, if any, might be helpful. Despite challenges, older adults can still treat pain and find relief from symptoms to improve their quality of life.
Summary
Although pain becomes more common with age, it is usually treatable. The aging process increases the risk of pain as different body parts wear down and injuries from daily activities become more likely. Joint and lower back pain are two common types of pain in older adults; both can stem from causes such as osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and injury.
Falls and fractures are also concerning for older people. Age can make it more challenging to move around, increasing the risk of falling. Bones may lose density over the years, making them easier to fracture or break. Prevention methods, such as using assistive devices, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising to strengthen bones can help.
If you’re experiencing pain or fall, it is essential to seek support from a healthcare professional to evaluate risks and determine underlying conditions. With care and treatment, it is possible to relieve pain.
A Word From Verywell
Various forms of pain are common health concerns that become more likely with age; however, prevention and treatment are possible. If you or someone you know is experiencing pain, reach out to a healthcare provider for support. It is possible to get relief, minimize pain, and live a healthy life.
35 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Patel KV, Guralnik JM, Dansie EJ, et al.Prevalence and impact of pain among older adults in the United States: Findings from the 2011 national health and aging trends study.Pain. 2013;154(12):2649-2657. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.029Zimmer Z, Rubin S.Life expectancy with and without pain in the U.S. elderly population.GERONA. 2016;71(9):1171-1176. doi:10.1093/gerona/glw028González-Roldán AM, Terrasa JL, Sitges C, et al.Age-related changes in pain perception are associated with altered functional connectivity during resting state.Front Aging Neurosci. 2020;12:116. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00116Yezierski RP.The effects of age on pain sensitivity: Preclinical studies.Pain Med. 2012;13(suppl 2):S27-S36. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01311.xNational Institute on Aging.Osteoarthritis.Geary MB, Elfar JC.Rotator cuff tears in the elderly patients.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2015;6(3):220-224. doi:10.1177/2151458515583895American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Effects of aging.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rotator cuff injury.Guglielmo D.Health care provider counseling for weight loss among adults with arthritis and overweight or obesity — United States, 2002–2014.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67.Holden MA, Nicholls EE, Young J, et al.Exercise and physical activity in older adults with knee pain: A mixed methods study.Rheumatology. 2015;54(3):413-423. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keu333National Institute on Aging.How older adults can get started on exercise.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About physical activity and arthritis.de Souza IMB, Sakaguchi TF, Yuan SLK, et al.Prevalence of low back pain in the elderly population: A systematic review.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2019;74:e789. doi:10.6061/clinics/2019/e789Wong AY, Karppinen J, Samartzis D.Low back pain in older adults: Risk factors, management options and future directions.Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2017;12:14. doi:10.1186/s13013-017-0121-3Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lower back pain: What could it be?American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spinal infections.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Spinal arthritis (arthritis in the neck or back).Vitoula K, Venneri A, Varrassi G, et al.Behavioral therapy approaches for the management of low back pain: An up-to-date systematic review.Pain Ther. 2018;7(1):1-12. doi:10.1007/s40122-018-0099-4National Institute on Aging.Falls and fractures in older adults: Causes and prevention.Sozen T, Ozisik L, Calik Basaran N.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(1):46-56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048University of Rochester Medical Center.For elderly, even short falls can be deadly.New York City Health.In case of a fall: Falls preparedness and follow up.University of Pennsylvania Medicine.What to do when a geriatric loved one has a hip fracture.Northwestern Medicine.What are geriatric fractures?Resnick B, Nahm ES, Zhu S, et al.The impact of osteoporosis, falls, fear of falling, and efficacy expectations on exercise among community-dwelling older adults.Orthopaedic Nursing. 2014;33(5):277-286. doi:10.1097/NOR.0000000000000084Shorey S, Chan V.Women living with osteoporosis: A meta-synthesis. Heyn PC, ed.The Gerontologist. 2021;61(3):e39-e47. doi:10.1093/geront/gnz173American Geriatric Society.Pain management.Borsheski R, Johnson QL.Pain management in the geriatric population.Mo Med. 2014;111(6):508-511.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Fung BWY, Tang CYK, Fung BKK.Does aging matter? The efficacy of carpal tunnel release in the elderly.Arch Plast Surg. 2015;42(03):278-281. doi:10.5999/aps.2015.42.3.278National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Knee pain and problems.Marcucci L, Reggiani C.Increase of resting muscle stiffness, a less considered component of age-related skeletal muscle impairment.Eur J Transl Myol. 2020;30(2):8982. doi:10.4081/ejtm.2019.8982National Health Service.Tendonitis.McCarthy MM, Hannafin JA.The mature athlete: Aging tendon and ligament.Sports Health. 2014;6(1):41-48. doi:10.11771941738113485691
35 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Patel KV, Guralnik JM, Dansie EJ, et al.Prevalence and impact of pain among older adults in the United States: Findings from the 2011 national health and aging trends study.Pain. 2013;154(12):2649-2657. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.029Zimmer Z, Rubin S.Life expectancy with and without pain in the U.S. elderly population.GERONA. 2016;71(9):1171-1176. doi:10.1093/gerona/glw028González-Roldán AM, Terrasa JL, Sitges C, et al.Age-related changes in pain perception are associated with altered functional connectivity during resting state.Front Aging Neurosci. 2020;12:116. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00116Yezierski RP.The effects of age on pain sensitivity: Preclinical studies.Pain Med. 2012;13(suppl 2):S27-S36. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01311.xNational Institute on Aging.Osteoarthritis.Geary MB, Elfar JC.Rotator cuff tears in the elderly patients.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2015;6(3):220-224. doi:10.1177/2151458515583895American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Effects of aging.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rotator cuff injury.Guglielmo D.Health care provider counseling for weight loss among adults with arthritis and overweight or obesity — United States, 2002–2014.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67.Holden MA, Nicholls EE, Young J, et al.Exercise and physical activity in older adults with knee pain: A mixed methods study.Rheumatology. 2015;54(3):413-423. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keu333National Institute on Aging.How older adults can get started on exercise.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About physical activity and arthritis.de Souza IMB, Sakaguchi TF, Yuan SLK, et al.Prevalence of low back pain in the elderly population: A systematic review.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2019;74:e789. doi:10.6061/clinics/2019/e789Wong AY, Karppinen J, Samartzis D.Low back pain in older adults: Risk factors, management options and future directions.Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2017;12:14. doi:10.1186/s13013-017-0121-3Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lower back pain: What could it be?American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spinal infections.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Spinal arthritis (arthritis in the neck or back).Vitoula K, Venneri A, Varrassi G, et al.Behavioral therapy approaches for the management of low back pain: An up-to-date systematic review.Pain Ther. 2018;7(1):1-12. doi:10.1007/s40122-018-0099-4National Institute on Aging.Falls and fractures in older adults: Causes and prevention.Sozen T, Ozisik L, Calik Basaran N.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(1):46-56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048University of Rochester Medical Center.For elderly, even short falls can be deadly.New York City Health.In case of a fall: Falls preparedness and follow up.University of Pennsylvania Medicine.What to do when a geriatric loved one has a hip fracture.Northwestern Medicine.What are geriatric fractures?Resnick B, Nahm ES, Zhu S, et al.The impact of osteoporosis, falls, fear of falling, and efficacy expectations on exercise among community-dwelling older adults.Orthopaedic Nursing. 2014;33(5):277-286. doi:10.1097/NOR.0000000000000084Shorey S, Chan V.Women living with osteoporosis: A meta-synthesis. Heyn PC, ed.The Gerontologist. 2021;61(3):e39-e47. doi:10.1093/geront/gnz173American Geriatric Society.Pain management.Borsheski R, Johnson QL.Pain management in the geriatric population.Mo Med. 2014;111(6):508-511.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Fung BWY, Tang CYK, Fung BKK.Does aging matter? The efficacy of carpal tunnel release in the elderly.Arch Plast Surg. 2015;42(03):278-281. doi:10.5999/aps.2015.42.3.278National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Knee pain and problems.Marcucci L, Reggiani C.Increase of resting muscle stiffness, a less considered component of age-related skeletal muscle impairment.Eur J Transl Myol. 2020;30(2):8982. doi:10.4081/ejtm.2019.8982National Health Service.Tendonitis.McCarthy MM, Hannafin JA.The mature athlete: Aging tendon and ligament.Sports Health. 2014;6(1):41-48. doi:10.11771941738113485691
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Patel KV, Guralnik JM, Dansie EJ, et al.Prevalence and impact of pain among older adults in the United States: Findings from the 2011 national health and aging trends study.Pain. 2013;154(12):2649-2657. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.029Zimmer Z, Rubin S.Life expectancy with and without pain in the U.S. elderly population.GERONA. 2016;71(9):1171-1176. doi:10.1093/gerona/glw028González-Roldán AM, Terrasa JL, Sitges C, et al.Age-related changes in pain perception are associated with altered functional connectivity during resting state.Front Aging Neurosci. 2020;12:116. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00116Yezierski RP.The effects of age on pain sensitivity: Preclinical studies.Pain Med. 2012;13(suppl 2):S27-S36. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01311.xNational Institute on Aging.Osteoarthritis.Geary MB, Elfar JC.Rotator cuff tears in the elderly patients.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2015;6(3):220-224. doi:10.1177/2151458515583895American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Effects of aging.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rotator cuff injury.Guglielmo D.Health care provider counseling for weight loss among adults with arthritis and overweight or obesity — United States, 2002–2014.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67.Holden MA, Nicholls EE, Young J, et al.Exercise and physical activity in older adults with knee pain: A mixed methods study.Rheumatology. 2015;54(3):413-423. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keu333National Institute on Aging.How older adults can get started on exercise.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About physical activity and arthritis.de Souza IMB, Sakaguchi TF, Yuan SLK, et al.Prevalence of low back pain in the elderly population: A systematic review.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2019;74:e789. doi:10.6061/clinics/2019/e789Wong AY, Karppinen J, Samartzis D.Low back pain in older adults: Risk factors, management options and future directions.Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2017;12:14. doi:10.1186/s13013-017-0121-3Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lower back pain: What could it be?American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spinal infections.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Spinal arthritis (arthritis in the neck or back).Vitoula K, Venneri A, Varrassi G, et al.Behavioral therapy approaches for the management of low back pain: An up-to-date systematic review.Pain Ther. 2018;7(1):1-12. doi:10.1007/s40122-018-0099-4National Institute on Aging.Falls and fractures in older adults: Causes and prevention.Sozen T, Ozisik L, Calik Basaran N.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(1):46-56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048University of Rochester Medical Center.For elderly, even short falls can be deadly.New York City Health.In case of a fall: Falls preparedness and follow up.University of Pennsylvania Medicine.What to do when a geriatric loved one has a hip fracture.Northwestern Medicine.What are geriatric fractures?Resnick B, Nahm ES, Zhu S, et al.The impact of osteoporosis, falls, fear of falling, and efficacy expectations on exercise among community-dwelling older adults.Orthopaedic Nursing. 2014;33(5):277-286. doi:10.1097/NOR.0000000000000084Shorey S, Chan V.Women living with osteoporosis: A meta-synthesis. Heyn PC, ed.The Gerontologist. 2021;61(3):e39-e47. doi:10.1093/geront/gnz173American Geriatric Society.Pain management.Borsheski R, Johnson QL.Pain management in the geriatric population.Mo Med. 2014;111(6):508-511.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Fung BWY, Tang CYK, Fung BKK.Does aging matter? The efficacy of carpal tunnel release in the elderly.Arch Plast Surg. 2015;42(03):278-281. doi:10.5999/aps.2015.42.3.278National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Carpal tunnel syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Knee pain and problems.Marcucci L, Reggiani C.Increase of resting muscle stiffness, a less considered component of age-related skeletal muscle impairment.Eur J Transl Myol. 2020;30(2):8982. doi:10.4081/ejtm.2019.8982National Health Service.Tendonitis.McCarthy MM, Hannafin JA.The mature athlete: Aging tendon and ligament.Sports Health. 2014;6(1):41-48. doi:10.11771941738113485691
Patel KV, Guralnik JM, Dansie EJ, et al.Prevalence and impact of pain among older adults in the United States: Findings from the 2011 national health and aging trends study.Pain. 2013;154(12):2649-2657. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.029
Zimmer Z, Rubin S.Life expectancy with and without pain in the U.S. elderly population.GERONA. 2016;71(9):1171-1176. doi:10.1093/gerona/glw028
González-Roldán AM, Terrasa JL, Sitges C, et al.Age-related changes in pain perception are associated with altered functional connectivity during resting state.Front Aging Neurosci. 2020;12:116. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00116
Yezierski RP.The effects of age on pain sensitivity: Preclinical studies.Pain Med. 2012;13(suppl 2):S27-S36. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01311.x
National Institute on Aging.Osteoarthritis.
Geary MB, Elfar JC.Rotator cuff tears in the elderly patients.Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2015;6(3):220-224. doi:10.1177/2151458515583895
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Effects of aging.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rotator cuff injury.
Guglielmo D.Health care provider counseling for weight loss among adults with arthritis and overweight or obesity — United States, 2002–2014.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67.
Holden MA, Nicholls EE, Young J, et al.Exercise and physical activity in older adults with knee pain: A mixed methods study.Rheumatology. 2015;54(3):413-423. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keu333
National Institute on Aging.How older adults can get started on exercise.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About physical activity and arthritis.
de Souza IMB, Sakaguchi TF, Yuan SLK, et al.Prevalence of low back pain in the elderly population: A systematic review.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2019;74:e789. doi:10.6061/clinics/2019/e789
Wong AY, Karppinen J, Samartzis D.Low back pain in older adults: Risk factors, management options and future directions.Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2017;12:14. doi:10.1186/s13013-017-0121-3
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lower back pain: What could it be?
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Spinal infections.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Spinal arthritis (arthritis in the neck or back).
Vitoula K, Venneri A, Varrassi G, et al.Behavioral therapy approaches for the management of low back pain: An up-to-date systematic review.Pain Ther. 2018;7(1):1-12. doi:10.1007/s40122-018-0099-4
National Institute on Aging.Falls and fractures in older adults: Causes and prevention.
Sozen T, Ozisik L, Calik Basaran N.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol. 2017;4(1):46-56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048
University of Rochester Medical Center.For elderly, even short falls can be deadly.
New York City Health.In case of a fall: Falls preparedness and follow up.
University of Pennsylvania Medicine.What to do when a geriatric loved one has a hip fracture.
Northwestern Medicine.What are geriatric fractures?
Resnick B, Nahm ES, Zhu S, et al.The impact of osteoporosis, falls, fear of falling, and efficacy expectations on exercise among community-dwelling older adults.Orthopaedic Nursing. 2014;33(5):277-286. doi:10.1097/NOR.0000000000000084
Shorey S, Chan V.Women living with osteoporosis: A meta-synthesis. Heyn PC, ed.The Gerontologist. 2021;61(3):e39-e47. doi:10.1093/geront/gnz173
American Geriatric Society.Pain management.
Borsheski R, Johnson QL.Pain management in the geriatric population.Mo Med. 2014;111(6):508-511.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Fung BWY, Tang CYK, Fung BKK.Does aging matter? The efficacy of carpal tunnel release in the elderly.Arch Plast Surg. 2015;42(03):278-281. doi:10.5999/aps.2015.42.3.278
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Knee pain and problems.
Marcucci L, Reggiani C.Increase of resting muscle stiffness, a less considered component of age-related skeletal muscle impairment.Eur J Transl Myol. 2020;30(2):8982. doi:10.4081/ejtm.2019.8982
National Health Service.Tendonitis.
McCarthy MM, Hannafin JA.The mature athlete: Aging tendon and ligament.Sports Health. 2014;6(1):41-48. doi:10.11771941738113485691
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
