Musculoskeletal pain is a common problem in the general population and in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Aging has significant impacts on the musculoskeletal system. The interaction of aging and musculoskeletal demands in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) results in unique problems that interfere with functional independence and quality of life. An understanding of these effects is needed to better design strategies and programs for primary prevention of musculoskeletal conditions that interfere with the lives of persons with SCI. This review summarizes some of these age-related changes and methods used to minimize their impact.
Barrett H, McClelland JM, Rutkowski SB, Siddall PJ. Pain characteristics in patients admitted to hospital with complications after spinal cord injury.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003; 84(6):789–795.
,
Pain characteristics in patients admitted to hospital with complications after spinal cord injury
, Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
, vol. 84
(pg. 789
-795
) Hitzig SL, Tonack M, Campbell KA, et al. Secondary health complications in an aging Canadian spinal cord injury sample.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;87(7):545–555.
,
Secondary health complications in an aging Canadian spinal cord injury sample
, Am J Phys Med Rehabil.
, vol. 87
(pg. 545
-555
) Warms CA, Turner JA, Marshall HM, Cardenas DD. Treatments for chronic pain associated with spinal cord injuries: many are tried, few are helpful.Clin J Pain. 2002; 18(3):154–163.
,
Treatments for chronic pain associated with spinal cord injuries: many are tried, few are helpful
, Clin J Pain.
, vol. 18
(pg. 154
-163
) Siddall PJ, Taylor DA, McClelland JM, Rutkowski SB, Cousins MJ. Pain report and the relationship of pain to physical factors in the first 6 months following spinal cord injury.Pain. 1999;81(1-2):187–197.
,
Pain report and the relationship of pain to physical factors in the first 6 months following spinal cord injury
, Pain.
, vol. 81
(pg. 187
-197
) Cardenas DD, Bryce TN, Shem K, Richards JS. Gender and minority differences in the pain experience of people with spinal cord injury.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85:1774– 1781.
,
Gender and minority differences in the pain experience of people with spinal cord injury
, Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
, vol. 85
Charlifue SW. Weitzenkamp BA. Whiteneck GG. Longitudinal outcomes in spinal cord injury: aging, secondary conditions and well-being.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999;80:1429– 1434.
,
Longitudinal outcomes in spinal cord injury: aging, secondary conditions and well-being
, Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
, vol. 80
Dalyan M, Cardenas DD, Gerard B. Upper extremity pain after spinal cord injury.Spinal Cord.1999;37(3):191–195.
,
Upper extremity pain after spinal cord injury
, Spinal Cord.
, vol. 37
(pg. 191
-195
) Gironda RJ, Clark ME, Neugaard B, Nelson A. Upper limb pain in a national sample of veterans with paraplegia.J Spinal Cord Med. 2004;27(2):120.
,
Upper limb pain in a national sample of veterans with paraplegia
, J Spinal Cord Med.
, vol. 27
Salisbury SK, Choy NL, Nitz J. Shoulder pain, range of motion, and functional motor skills after acute tetraplegia.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003;84(10):1480–1485.
,
Shoulder pain, range of motion, and functional motor skills after acute tetraplegia
, Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
, vol. 84
(pg. 1480
-1485
) Ballinger DA, Rintala DH, Hart KA. The relation of shoulder pain and range-of-motion problems to functional limitations, disability, and perceived health of men with spinal cord injury: a multifaceted longitudinal study.Arch Phys Med Rehabil.2000;81(12):1575–1581.
,
The relation of shoulder pain and range-of-motion problems to functional limitations, disability, and perceived health of men with spinal cord injury: a multifaceted longitudinal study
, Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
, vol. 81
(pg. 1575
-1581
) Miyahara M, Sleivert GG, Gerrard DF. The relationship of strength and muscle balance to shoulder pain and impingement syndrome in elite quadriplegic wheelchair rugby players.J Sports Med. 1998;19:210–214.
,
The relationship of strength and muscle balance to shoulder pain and impingement syndrome in elite quadriplegic wheelchair rugby players
, J Sports Med.
, vol. 19
(pg. 210
-214
) Groah SL, Lanig IS. Neuromusculoskeletal syndromes in wheelchair athletes.Semin Neurol. 2000;20:201–208.
,
Neuromusculoskeletal syndromes in wheelchair athletes
, Semin Neurol.
, vol. 20
(pg. 201
-208
) Dyson-Hudson TA, Kirschblum SC. Shoulder pain in chronic spinal cord injury Part I: epidemiology, etiology, and pathomechanics.J Spinal Cord Med. 2004;27(1):4–17.
,
Shoulder pain in chronic spinal cord injury Part I: epidemiology, etiology, and pathomechanics
, J Spinal Cord Med.
, vol. 27
(pg. 4
-17
) Curtis KA, Tyner TM, Zachary L, et al. Effect of a standard exercise protocol on shoulder pain in long term wheelchair users.Spinal Cord. 1999;37:421–429.
,
Effect of a standard exercise protocol on shoulder pain in long term wheelchair users
, Spinal Cord.
, vol. 37
(pg. 421
-429
) Sinnot KA, Milburn P, McNaughton H. Factors associated with thoracic spinal cord injury, lesion level, and rotator cuff disorders.Spinal Cord. 2000;38:748–753.
,
Factors associated with thoracic spinal cord injury, lesion level, and rotator cuff disorders
, Spinal Cord.
, vol. 38
(pg. 748
-753
) Tyner TM, Zachary L, et al. Effect of a standard exercise protocol on shoulder pain in long-term wheelchair users.Spinal Cord. 1999;37:421–429.
,
Effect of a standard exercise protocol on shoulder pain in long-term wheelchair users
, Spinal Cord.
, vol. 37
(pg. 421
-429
) Ferrara MS. Davis RW. Injuries to elite wheelchair athletes.Paraplegia. 1990;28:335–341.
,
Injuries to elite wheelchair athletes
, Paraplegia.
, vol. 28
(pg. 335
-341
) Lal S. Premature degenerative shoulder changes in spinal cord injury patients.Paraplegia. 1998;36:186–189.
,
Premature degenerative shoulder changes in spinal cord injury patients
, Paraplegia.
, vol. 36
(pg. 186
-189
) Widerstrom-Noga EG, Duncan R, Turk DC. Psychosocial profiles of people with pain associated with spinal cord injury: identification and comparison with other chronic pain syndromes.Clin J Pain. 2004;20(4):261–271.
,
Psychosocial profiles of people with pain associated with spinal cord injury: identification and comparison with other chronic pain syndromes
, Clin J Pain.
, vol. 20
(pg. 261
-271
) Jan FK, Wilson PE. A survey of chronic pain in the pediatric spinal cord injury population.J Spinal Cord Med. 2004;27(Suppl 1):S50–53.
,
A survey of chronic pain in the pediatric spinal cord injury population
, J Spinal Cord Med.
, vol. 27
(pg. S50
-53
) Spungen AN, Adkins RH, Stewart CA, et al. Factors influencing body compostition in person with spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional study.J Appl Physiol. 2003;95:2398–2407.
,
Factors influencing body compostition in person with spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional study
, J Appl Physiol.
, vol. 95
(pg. 2398
-2407
) Buckwalter JA, Woo SLY, Goldberg VM, et al. Current concepts review. soft-tissue aging and musculoskeletal function.J Bone Joint Surg. 1993;75-A(10):1533–1548.
,
Current concepts review. soft-tissue aging and musculoskeletal function
, J Bone Joint Surg.
, vol. 75-A
(pg. 1533
-1548
) McCarter R. Age-related changes in skeletal muscle function.Aging. 1990;2:27–38.
,
Age-related changes in skeletal muscle function
, Aging.
, vol. 2
(pg. 27
-38
) Rennie MJ. Body maintenance and repair: how food and exercise keep the musculoskeletal system in good shape.Exp Physiol. 2005;90(4):427–436.
,
Body maintenance and repair: how food and exercise keep the musculoskeletal system in good shape
, Exp Physiol.
, vol. 90
(pg. 427
-436
) Forbes GB.Human Body Composition: Growth, Aging, Nutrition and Activity. New York: Springer-Verlag; 1987.
,
Human Body Composition: Growth, Aging, Nutrition and Activity.
Bohé J, Low A, Wolfe RR, Rennie MJ. Human muscle protein synthesis is modulated by extracellular, not intramuscular amino acid availability: a dose–response study.J Physiol. 2003;552:315–324.
,
Human muscle protein synthesis is modulated by extracellular, not intramuscular amino acid availability: a dose–response study
, J Physiol.
, vol. 552
(pg. 315
-324
) Bohé J, Low JF, Wolfe RR, Rennie MJ. Latency and duration of stimulation of human muscle protein synthesis during continuous infusion of amino acids.J Physiol. 2001;532:575–579.
,
Latency and duration of stimulation of human muscle protein synthesis during continuous infusion of amino acids
, J Physiol.
, vol. 532
(pg. 575
-579
) Babraj JA, Smith K, Cuthbertson D, Rickuss P, Dorling J, Rennie M. Human bone collagen synthesis is a rapid, nutritionally modulated process.J Bone Mineral Res. 2005;20:930– 937.
,
Human bone collagen synthesis is a rapid, nutritionally modulated process
, J Bone Mineral Res.
, vol. 20
Kjaer M. Role of extracellular matrix in adaptation of tendon and skeletal muscle to mechanical loading.Physiol Rev. 2004;84:649–698.
,
Role of extracellular matrix in adaptation of tendon and skeletal muscle to mechanical loading
, Physiol Rev.
, vol. 84
(pg. 649
-698
) Pilegaard H, Saltin B, Neufer PD. Exercise induces transient transcriptional activation of the PGC-1alpha gene in human skeletal muscle.J Physiol. 2003;546:851–858.
,
Exercise induces transient transcriptional activation of the PGC-1alpha gene in human skeletal muscle
, J Physiol.
, vol. 546
(pg. 851
-858
) Cuthbertson D, Smith K, Babraj J, et al. Anabolic signaling deficits underlie amino acid resistance of wasting, aging muscle.FASEB J. 2005;19:422–424.
,
Anabolic signaling deficits underlie amino acid resistance of wasting, aging muscle
, FASEB J.
, vol. 19
(pg. 422
-424
) Larrson L, Sjodin B, Karlsson J. Histochemical and biochemical changes in human skeletal muscle with age in sedentary males, age 22- 65.Acta Physiol Scand. 1978;103:31–39.
,
Histochemical and biochemical changes in human skeletal muscle with age in sedentary males, age 22- 65
, Acta Physiol Scand.
, vol. 103
(pg. 31
-39
) Parise G, Brose AN, Tarnopolsky MA. Resistance exercise training decreases oxidative damage to DNA and increases cytochrome oxidase activity in older adults.Exp Gerontol. 2005;40:173–180.
,
Resistance exercise training decreases oxidative damage to DNA and increases cytochrome oxidase activity in older adults
, Exp Gerontol.
, vol. 40
(pg. 173
-180
) Tarnopolsky MA. Mitochondrial DNA shifting in older adults following resistance exercise training.Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2009;34(3):348–354.
,
Mitochondrial DNA shifting in older adults following resistance exercise training
, Appl Physiol Nutr Metab.
, vol. 34
(pg. 348
-354
) Kumar V, Selby ARD, Patel R, et al. Age-related differences in the dose-response relationship of muscle protein synthesis to resistance exercise in young and old men.J Physiol. 2009;587(Pt 1):211–217.
,
Age-related differences in the dose-response relationship of muscle protein synthesis to resistance exercise in young and old men
, J Physiol.
, vol. 587
(pg. 211
-217
) Rogers MA, Hagverg JM, Martin WH, Ehsani AA, Holloszy JO. Decline in VO2max with aging in master athletes and sedentary men.J Appl Physiol. 1990;68:2195–2199.
,
Decline in VO2max with aging in master athletes and sedentary men
, J Appl Physiol.
, vol. 68
(pg. 2195
-2199
) Noyes FR, Grood ES. The strength of the anterior cruciate ligament in humans and rhesus monkeys. Age-related and species-related changes.J Bone Joint Surg. 1976;58-A:1074–1082.
,
The strength of the anterior cruciate ligament in humans and rhesus monkeys. Age-related and species-related changes
, J Bone Joint Surg.
, vol. 58-A
(pg. 1074
-1082
) Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, et al. Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old.New Engl J Med. 1990;323:1–6.
,
Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old
, New Engl J Med.
, vol. 323
(pg. 1
-6
) Tsitrouras PD, Zhong YG, Sungen AM, Bauman WA. Serum testosterone and growth hormone/ ILGF-1 in adults with spinal cord injuries.Hormone Metab Res. 1995;27(6):287–292.
,
Serum testosterone and growth hormone/ ILGF-1 in adults with spinal cord injuries.
, Metab Res.
, vol. 27
(pg. 287
-292
) Petrofsky JS, Laymon M. The effect of aging in spinal cord injured humans on the blood pressure and heart rate responses during fatiguing isometric exercise.Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002;86:479–478.
,
The effect of aging in spinal cord injured humans on the blood pressure and heart rate responses during fatiguing isometric exercise
, Eur J Appl Physiol.
, vol. 86
(pg. 479
-478
) Brooks SV, Faulkner JA. Contraction-induced injury: recovery of skeletal muscles in young and old mice.Am J Physiol. 1990;258(March, Part I):C436–C442.
,
Contraction-induced injury: recovery of skeletal muscles in young and old mice
, Am J Physiol.
, vol. 258
(pg. C436
-C442
) Curtis KA, Drysdale GA, Lanza D, Kolber M, Vitolo RS, West R. Shoulder pain in wheelchair users with tetraplegia and paraplegia.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999;80:453–457.
,
Shoulder pain in wheelchair users with tetraplegia and paraplegia
, Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
, vol. 80
(pg. 453
-457
) Bruce B, Fries JF, Lubeck DP. Aerobic exercise and its impact on musculoskeletal pain in older adults: a 14 year prospective, longitudinal study.Arthritis Res Ther. 2005;7(6): R1263–R1270.
,
Aerobic exercise and its impact on musculoskeletal pain in older adults: a 14 year prospective, longitudinal study
, Arthritis Res Ther.
, vol. 7
(pg. R1263
-R1270
) Macera CA, Hootman JM, Sniezek JE. Major public health benefits of physical activity.Arthritis Rheum. 2003;49:122–128.
,
Major public health benefits of physical activity
, Arthritis Rheum.
, vol. 49
(pg. 122
-128
) Ettinger WH, Burns R, Messier SP, et al. A randomized trial comparing aerobic exercise and resistance exercise with a health education program in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The Fitness Arthritis and Seniors Trial (FAST).JAMA. 1997;277:25–31.
,
A randomized trial comparing aerobic exercise and resistance exercise with a health education program in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The Fitness Arthritis and Seniors Trial (FAST)
, JAMA.
, vol. 277
(pg. 25
-31
) Taimela S, Diederich C, Hubsch M, Heinricy M. The role of physical exercise and inactivity in pain recurrence and absenteeism from work after active outpatient rehabilitation for recurrent or chronic low back pain: a follow-up study.Spine. 2000;25:1809–1816
,
The role of physical exercise and inactivity in pain recurrence and absenteeism from work after active outpatient rehabilitation for recurrent or chronic low back pain: a follow-up study
, Spine.
, vol. 25
(pg. 1809
-1816
)
This content is only available as a PDF.