Orthopaedic Sports Injuries in an Aging Population: Current Trends and Future Projections.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric medicine
• Orthopaedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The US population of older adults is expanding and remaining active longer.
• There is a lack of comprehensive data on sports-related injuries among the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the national incidence and trends of sports-related orthopaedic injuries in US adults aged 65 and older.
• To analyze changes in the types and causes of these injuries over time.
• To project future injury rates and compare them with the projected increase in treating physicians.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive epidemiological study utilizing data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 2012 to 2021.
• Analysis included injury counts, incidence rates, and demographic characteristics.
• Projections to 2040 were made using US Census data and physician workforce estimates.

Main Results:

• An estimated 444,078 sports-related orthopaedic injuries occurred in individuals aged 65+ between 2012 and 2021.
• Both the number of injuries (32,573 to 50,909) and the national incidence rate (78 to 91 per 100,000) significantly increased (P < 0.01).
• Injuries are projected to increase by 119% by 2040, far outpacing the projected 19.7% increase in relevant physicians.

Conclusions:

• Sports-related orthopaedic injuries in the elderly population are demonstrably increasing in both volume and incidence.
• Healthcare professionals, particularly orthopaedic surgeons, need to anticipate and prepare for a substantial rise in active elderly patients requiring treatment for sports injuries.