Most of us experience back pain at some time in our lives. Back problems are a very common reason for older adults to visit their healthcare provider. However, the back problems of older adults are often very different from those seen in younger people.

The following are questions you can ask your healthcare provider concerning back pain:

1. What is the most common reason for back pain in older adults?
2. What other conditions could cause back pain in older adults?
3. My back pain is there all the time, even at night. What should I do about this?
4. Can a fever be related to my back pain?
5. I have been told my lumbar spine is abnormal. Could this be causing my back pain?
6. My doctor says the changes in my spine are not causing my back pain. Why is this?
7. I've been told I have spinal stenosis. What is this?
8. What is the treatment for spinal stenosis?
9. My back pain feels better when I bend forward. Why is this?
10. I get pain in the calves of my legs when I walk. What are the causes of this?
11. When I walk I sometimes feel as if my legs are going to give way, and I'm afraid of falling. Could this be related to my back pain? What can be done about it?
12. I get tingling and numbness in my legs when I walk. What should I do about this?
13. I get pain going from my hip down into my foot. Could this be caused by back problems? What can I do about it?
14. My doctor wants to examine my hips as well as my back. Could hip disease be the cause of my back pain?
15. Can thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) cause back pain?
16. Do men ever get osteoporosis?
17. I've been told I have a fracture of my spine. How long will it take to heal? What can I do to ease the pain?
18. My doctor has done a thorough evaluation and says my back pain is not caused by serious disease, and will resolve with time. What treatments can I have to help the pain and strengthen my back muscles?
19. How can I avoid further episodes of back pain?
20. My back pain is improving, and my doctor wants me to do back strengthening exercises every day. Will this help?
21. I started taking a muscle relaxant last week, my back pain is worse, and I can't think straight - this has not happened to me before. What might be the reason?