Musculoskeletal pain and physical disability in senior citizens

Over the next two decades, the proportion of people 65 years and over, and especially those over 75, will increase dramatically. As a result, physical therapists are likely to treat an increasing proportion of older patients. Age has been shown to be associated with an increase in chronic musculoskeletal conditions that may result in pain or discomfort and decreased physical function. A number of epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of both musculoskeletal pain and physical disability is high in the older population. Factors that have been shown to be related to physical disability include number of chronic conditions, age, sex and depression. The relationship between musculoskeletal pain and physical disability, however, is not well understood. The aims of this paper are to review the literature regarding the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and disability in the older population, to identify the factors associated with disability, and to discuss the need for further research into the effect of pain on disability. The prevention of physical disability may involve the better understanding and management of pain in the older individual.