Learn about the causes of increased pain with age, prevention, treatment options, and more.

Why Does Pain Increase With Age?

Sources of Joint Pain

Some causes of joint pain are more common with age.

For others,weight lossmay treat pain caused byarthritisor deterioration of the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

Each pound lost relieves 4 pounds of load from the knees, making this effective for some.

About 1 in 3 women over age 50 will break a bone related to osteoporosis.

However, there are ways to reduce the risks of serious, long-term effects from a fall.

and provide preventative measures for the future.

For example, ahip fractureis a common injury in older adults that may or may not require surgery.

If falls do occur, fractures can be prevented by strengthening bones.

Widespread pain is pain experienced throughout the body or in multiple areas.

It affects about 12% of older adults, most of whom are women.

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.

If you’re experiencing pain, seeking care from practitioners specializing in older adults can be helpful.

Summary

Although pain becomes more common with age, it is usually treatable.

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.

With care and treatment, it is possible to relieve pain.

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.

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.

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.

2019;74:e789.

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).

Sozen T, Ozisik L, Calik Basaran N.An overview and management of osteoporosis.Eur J Rheumatol.

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?

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.

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