The Epidemiology of Adult Spinal Deformity and the Aging Population

Abstract

The American population is aging, and aging is associated with a rise in the prevalence of degenerative spinal disorders. According to the 2010 Census, while the percentage of younger people in the USA between the working ages of 25–44 years old declined by 3.4 %, the older population within the working age, that is, ages 45–64 years old, increased by 31.5 % and now make up 81.5 million people in the US population [1]. The growth of people within the retirement age bracket, age 62 years and older, in the US population grew by 21.2 % from 2000 to 2010. Overall, people over the age of 65 years and considered typically retired from the work force make up 40.3 million people and represent 39 % of the total US population. Between 2000 and 2010, this older age group represented the fastest growth sector in the USA and has been associated with the increase in spinal care needed, including adult degenerative spinal deformities (Table 1.1).