Korean J Geriatr Gerontol.
2016 Dec;17(2):51-58. 10.15656/kjcg.2016.17.2.51.
Back Pain Management in the Older Person
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neurology, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- KMID: 2566499
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.15656/kjcg.2016.17.2.51
Abstract
- Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem in the geriatric population. The majority of cases are thought to be mechanical or idiopathic and benign nature, but its multiple causes and concerns regarding missed diagnosis of less common but more serious underlying pathological diagnoses mean many physicians find the assessment, investigation and treatment of chronic LBP in older adults challenging. Although back complaints are common among older people, limited information is available about the clinical course of the LBP and the identification of older persons at risk for the transition from acute back complaints to chronic LBP. Assessment must focus on identifying those with mechanical LBP and distingishing those from individuals with pathological disease. The limited role of imaging in those without pathological signs or symptoms reflect the complex nature of LBP. As always in those with chronic LBP, success in managing symptoms is likely to be achieved using a multidisciplinary approach with surgery reserved only for those with refractory symptoms.
