Anesthesia in Pain Ma nagement in Elderly Patients

Pain management in elderly patients (≥65 years), particularly those with cancer, neuropathic, or degenerative joint pain, requires a multidisciplinary and individualized approach. Cancer pain, often associated with bone metastases, may become resistant to systemic opioids, necessitating advanced interventions such as spinal analgesia, neurolytic procedures, or intrathecal drug delivery (IDD). Neuropathic pain, resulting from nerve damage, may benefit from neuromodulation techniques like spinal cord stimulation (SCS), which modulate pain transmission and offer long-term relief. Degenerative joint pain, especially from osteoarthritis,

can be managed using minimally invasive techniques including genicular nerve blocks, cryoanalgesia, or radiofrequency neurotomy. These interventional methods are particularly valuable in the elderly due to reduced systemic side effects and improved functional outcomes. Proper pain control significantly enhances the quality of life and autonomy in geriatric patients.