Spinal pain and its impact on older people

The term ‘spinal pain’ collectively includes the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral regions of the spine. The majority of older people experience spinal pain, and with an increasing proportion of older people, the prevalence of spinal conditions are expected to increase in the coming decades. Musculoskeletal conditions of the spine in the older patient commonly include osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis, and the result of these degenerative diseases includes pain, stiffness and a decreased ability to engage in everyday activities. More than just the burden of pain, spinal pain has a significant considerable impact on the wellbeing and independence of older people within the community. Spinal pain is poorly managed, and knowledge of safe and effective treatment strategies are lacking because of the exclusion of older people in clinical research. Spinal pain in older people is a global health problem; the physical and personal impact of spinal directly threatens efforts to support healthy ageing.