Assisting older adults with orthopaedic outpatient acute-pain management

Management of acute pain by older adults with orthopaedic conditions in their community setting after surgical procedures or injury can be challenging. As older adult orthopaedic outpatients have unique requirements in their pain management, nurses and advanced practice nurses must be cognizant of these needs and intervene when needed to promote a satisfactory recovery. This article will focus on the older adults' experiences of orthopaedic pain, barriers to their pain reporting and relief, and acute pain management considerations for the older adult in the home setting.