by Surgeons revealed that sports-related orthopedic injuries among older adults in the United States are projected to surge by 123 percent between 2021 and 2040. Nareena Imam and colleagues from UConn Health conducted an analysis to estimate the national incidence and causes of sports-related orthopedic injuries in adults aged 65 years and older, as well as to explore trends in such injuries in this demographic.
The study, which utilized data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database on patients aged 65 years and older who sustained sports-related orthopedic injuries in U.S. emergency departments from 2012 to 2021, found that there were approximately 772,973 such injuries in older adults during the study period, with an average age of 73.0 years. Nearly half of the injuries occurred in women, accounting for 45.0 percent of the total.
The researchers observed a significant rise in injuries over time, from 55,684 cases in 2012 to 93,221 cases in 2021. Concurrently, there was a similar increase in the national incidence of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries, climbing from 134 per 100,000 in 2012 to 167 per 100,000 in 2021. Projections indicate that by 2040, there will be an estimated 207,570 sports-related orthopedic injuries in older adults, marking a substantial 123 percent increase from 2021, while the number of orthopedic surgeons is forecasted to rise by only 7.9 percent during the same period.
Dr. Jay Zaifman, a coauthor from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized the need to reevaluate protocols and treatments for this age group due to the anticipated surge in sports-related orthopedic injuries. He highlighted the necessity of adopting a patient-centered approach and reconsidering the standard of care for active older adults to address the increasing demands presented by this population. In light of these findings, it becomes imperative for healthcare providers to adjust their strategies to cater to the evolving needs of older adults who engage in sports activities, aiming to ensure optimal care and outcomes for this demographic.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
