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Data presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting drew attention to the growing trend of sports-related injuries in individuals over the age of 65.
Results from the research indicated that the increasingly active and aging population, coupled with the reality that demand for orthopedic surgeons may outpace availability, should raise questions about how care is delivered in the future. The study also noted that the types of injuries that Baby Boomers are sustaining are projected to change, providing a call to action for orthopedic companies seeking to develop solutions.
The data showed that 55,684 sports-related injuries were reported in American seniors in 2012 and 93,221 injuries in 2021, an increase of 67%. That number is projected to increase by 123% from 2021 to 2040, while the number of orthopedic surgeons is projected to increase by 7.9% during that timeframe.
“In practice, we are seeing adults in their eighties and nineties participating in activities that weren’t previously of interest to them, such as pickleball,” said Jay Zaifman, M.D., lead author and orthopedic surgery resident, NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “One of the top findings from our research is a clear potential for disparity between the number of orthopedic surgeons and the increasing need for treating older adults experiencing sports injuries. There are traditionally different protocols and treatments for this age group. We now need to consider the new higher demands of many of these patients. Taking a patient-centered approach and rethinking our standard of care for more active older adults is crucial.”
The study called attention to the types of injuries patients that endure from their more active lifestyles. Greater participation in sports like cycling, scootering and pickleball is leading to higher rates of injuries to the elbow and upper leg, as well as fractures.
“We need to reevaluate how patients are treated and consider that there might be an increased demand for certain injuries,” said Nareena Imam, a fourth-year medical student at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and one of the study’s authors. “Proximal humerus fractures, for instance, are commonly treated non-operatively. How might the treatment plan change in patients who are older than 65?”
Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo called out the over-65 age group during the company’s 4Q23 earnings report, noting that the number of people within the demographic has led to an increase in procedure volumes.
“Every day, 10,000 more people are turning 65,” Mr. Lobo said. “Activity levels are increasing. The advent of pickleball has been a terrific thing for our business. More active people who are elderly tend to want to stay active. Activity levels are the biggest predictor of needing joint replacements and sports medicine procedures. A number of factors point to continued good demand. I don’t know how temporary it is. This could continue for a period of time, because of demographics and activity levels.”
While joint replacement companies are well versed with this population, companies that serve the trauma and sports medicine space should heed the new data. Older patients often suffer from osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, which should be taken into consideration as new implants and surgical techniques are designed. Additionally, a decrease in the number of surgeons and the shift in procedures from a hospital to an ambulatory surgical center or orthopedic urgent care clinic will require technologies to be designed for smaller, more streamlined setting.
The researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study that pulled data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Physician Compare Database.
Data presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting drew attention to the growing trend of sports-related injuries in individuals over the age of 65.
Results from the research indicated that the increasingly active and aging population, coupled with the reality that demand for orthopedic surgeons may outpace...
Data presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting drew attention to the growing trend of sports-related injuries in individuals over the age of 65.
Results from the research indicated that the increasingly active and aging population, coupled with the reality that demand for orthopedic surgeons may outpace availability, should raise questions about how care is delivered in the future. The study also noted that the types of injuries that Baby Boomers are sustaining are projected to change, providing a call to action for orthopedic companies seeking to develop solutions.
The data showed that 55,684 sports-related injuries were reported in American seniors in 2012 and 93,221 injuries in 2021, an increase of 67%. That number is projected to increase by 123% from 2021 to 2040, while the number of orthopedic surgeons is projected to increase by 7.9% during that timeframe.
“In practice, we are seeing adults in their eighties and nineties participating in activities that weren’t previously of interest to them, such as pickleball,” said Jay Zaifman, M.D., lead author and orthopedic surgery resident, NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “One of the top findings from our research is a clear potential for disparity between the number of orthopedic surgeons and the increasing need for treating older adults experiencing sports injuries. There are traditionally different protocols and treatments for this age group. We now need to consider the new higher demands of many of these patients. Taking a patient-centered approach and rethinking our standard of care for more active older adults is crucial.”
The study called attention to the types of injuries patients that endure from their more active lifestyles. Greater participation in sports like cycling, scootering and pickleball is leading to higher rates of injuries to the elbow and upper leg, as well as fractures.
“We need to reevaluate how patients are treated and consider that there might be an increased demand for certain injuries,” said Nareena Imam, a fourth-year medical student at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and one of the study’s authors. “Proximal humerus fractures, for instance, are commonly treated non-operatively. How might the treatment plan change in patients who are older than 65?”
Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo called out the over-65 age group during the company’s 4Q23 earnings report, noting that the number of people within the demographic has led to an increase in procedure volumes.
“Every day, 10,000 more people are turning 65,” Mr. Lobo said. “Activity levels are increasing. The advent of pickleball has been a terrific thing for our business. More active people who are elderly tend to want to stay active. Activity levels are the biggest predictor of needing joint replacements and sports medicine procedures. A number of factors point to continued good demand. I don’t know how temporary it is. This could continue for a period of time, because of demographics and activity levels.”
While joint replacement companies are well versed with this population, companies that serve the trauma and sports medicine space should heed the new data. Older patients often suffer from osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, which should be taken into consideration as new implants and surgical techniques are designed. Additionally, a decrease in the number of surgeons and the shift in procedures from a hospital to an ambulatory surgical center or orthopedic urgent care clinic will require technologies to be designed for smaller, more streamlined setting.
The researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study that pulled data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Physician Compare Database.
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Carolyn LaWell is ORTHOWORLD's Chief Content Officer. She joined ORTHOWORLD in 2012 to oversee its editorial and industry education. She previously served in editor roles at B2B magazines and newspapers.
