"At your age, some pain is to be expected." Many older patients hear this and accept it as inevitable — resigning themselves to chronic pain as the price of aging. But this response, while common, is medically imprecise and does a disservice to older patients who could benefit enormously from treatment.
Age and shoulder conditions — the real relationship
Yes, degenerative changes in the shoulder increase with age. Tendons become less elastic, partial tears become more common, and calcific deposits are more prevalent. But the presence of these changes does not mean pain is inevitable or untreatable. Many older patients with significant MRI findings are completely pain-free, while younger patients with minimal changes are severely symptomatic.
Why elderly patients may actually benefit MORE from non-surgical treatment
- ✓General anesthesia carries significantly higher risk in elderly patients
- ✓Surgical recovery is longer and more difficult for older patients
- ✓Rehabilitation compliance after surgery is more challenging
- ✓The goals of treatment may be more modest (pain relief + daily function vs. athletic performance)
- ✓Non-surgical treatments work as well in older patients as younger ones for appropriate indications
A 70-year-old with debilitating shoulder pain is not 'just getting old' — they are a patient who deserves diagnosis and treatment.
Age is not a barrier — get the treatment you deserve
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Dr. Rhee Dong Kyu
Yonsei University M.D. · Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon · IBSE Certified · 4 Patents
A former surgical specialist turned non-surgical expert. Having experienced the limitations of shoulder surgery firsthand, Dr. Lee founded Platinum Clinic to expand the possibilities of non-surgical treatment.