[Diagnosis and treatment of pain in the elderly patient]

For the diagnosis of pain in the elderly patient, special instruments are available for measuring cognitive and sensory deficits. With regard to treatment, too, age-specific peculiarities must be taken into account. Musculoskeletal diseases, and especially osteoarthritic conditions, are the most common pathologies that are the cause of pain in old age. To a particular degree they result in a restriction of mobility and pose a threat to the patient's independence. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for the development of chronicity and for patient withdrawal. An improvement in the patient's training status can be achieved by pharmacological and physical treatment applied in association with active physical exercise and psychological measures.