Spine Disorders in Older Adults

Back pain is one of the most common presenting complaints to physicians and a leading cause of disability in patients of all ages. Disorders of the spine have a considerable burden on both the quality of life of affected patients and the healthcare economy. Both the prevalence of back pain and its functional impact increase with age. Degenerative changes to the spine lead to biochemical, structural, and biomechanical alterations, which can result in pain and disability. This chapter describes the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of spine disorders that affect older adults including osteoporosis and compression fractures, facet arthropathy, cervical myelopathy, lumbar spinal stenosis, and sarcopenia. Understanding spine disorders that affect the aging population is essential for all members of the rehabilitation team.