Michael Barbella, Managing Editor03.08.24
New study data show sports injuries in U.S. seniors have increased sharply from 55,684 in 2012 to 93,221 in 2021, with significant differences in the types of activities and injuries. The study, “Orthopaedic Sports Injuries in an Aging Population: Currents Trends and Future Projections,” also projected a 123% increase in sports-related orthopedic injuries in those ages 65 and older from 2021 to 2040 while the number of orthopedic surgeons is projected to rise only by 7.9% during that same time.
“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 at 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.”
Through a retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study, researchers examined sports-related injuries in patients 65 years and older between 2012-2021 in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database. The NEISS collects data from 100 hospitals that act as a nationally representative probability sample of all U.S. hospitals with emergency rooms. Population estimates and projections were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, collecting projections through 2040. The Physician Compare Database was used to estimate the total number of U.s. orthopedic surgeons.
Highlights of the data include:
“While we don’t have the data on this, we can extrapolate that it is very unlikely there were actually fewer sprains and strains that occurred in 2021 when compared to 2012,” Zaifman said. “The patients may be going to their primary care doctor or they’re seeing an outpatient orthopedic surgeon for these injuries. Perhaps they are more aware that this isn’t an emergent injury, or they’re better educated on the proper location for treatment. It was emergent injuries like fractures that were presenting to the emergency room.”
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS advances musculoskeletal health by providing comprehensive education to help orthopedic surgeons and allied health professionals best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal healthcare issues; and it leads the healthcare discussion on advancing quality.
“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 at 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.”
Through a retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study, researchers examined sports-related injuries in patients 65 years and older between 2012-2021 in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database. The NEISS collects data from 100 hospitals that act as a nationally representative probability sample of all U.S. hospitals with emergency rooms. Population estimates and projections were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, collecting projections through 2040. The Physician Compare Database was used to estimate the total number of U.s. orthopedic surgeons.
Highlights of the data include:
- Sports-related injuries in elderly became more common:There were an estimated 772,973 total sports-related injuries in seniors from 2012-2021, with a mean age of 73 and 45% of patients being female. There was a significant increase in the national incidence of sports-related orthopedic injuries in the elderly from 134 per 100,000 people in 2012 to 167 per 100,000 people in 2021.
- A 123% increase in sports-related injuries in the elderly by 2040: The total number of sports-related orthopedic injuries is estimated to reach 137,852 by 2040, an increased rate of 4.7 injuries per 100,000 people annually. This statistic shows that older people are injuring themselves more frequently during sports, they are participating in more sports, and/or they are participating in different sports in which they are more likely to get injured.
- Demand for orthopedic surgeons may outpace availability: The number of orthopedic surgeons increased from 21,419 in 2016 to 22,206 in 2023, a 3.7% increase. The researchers projected 23,527 orthopedic surgeons in 2040, which represents a large disparity based on rising demand for orthopedic surgeons.
- Higher participation in sports by the elderly: A significantly higher proportion of injuries was associated with biking and scooters and less were associated with dancing and skiing in those 65 and older in 2021 than in 2012. This corresponds to an increase in the popularity of certain sports like cycling, and higher participation rates among older adults.
- Rising number of elbow and upper leg injuries: In 2021, there was a higher proportion of elderly sports-related injuries to the elbow (5.3% vs. 3.2%) and upper leg (4.2% vs. 2.1%) than in 2012.
- Higher fracture rates: Fractures, hematomas and avulsions were more common injuries in emergency rooms in 2021 than 2012, while strains/sprains and lacerations were less common.
“While we don’t have the data on this, we can extrapolate that it is very unlikely there were actually fewer sprains and strains that occurred in 2021 when compared to 2012,” Zaifman said. “The patients may be going to their primary care doctor or they’re seeing an outpatient orthopedic surgeon for these injuries. Perhaps they are more aware that this isn’t an emergent injury, or they’re better educated on the proper location for treatment. It was emergent injuries like fractures that were presenting to the emergency room.”
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS advances musculoskeletal health by providing comprehensive education to help orthopedic surgeons and allied health professionals best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal healthcare issues; and it leads the healthcare discussion on advancing quality.