The Aging of the Global Population

Abstract

The global population is currently undergoing an upward shift in its age structure due to decreasing fertility rates and increasing life expectancy. As a result, clinicians worldwide will be required to manage an increasing number of spinal disorders specific to the elderly and the aging of the spine. Elderly individuals pose unique challenges to health care systems and to spinal physicians as these patients typically have an increased number of medical comorbidities, reduced bone density mass, more severe spinal degeneration and a greater propensity to falls. In anticipation of the aging of the population, we undertook this project to heighten physicians' awareness of age-related spinal disorders, including geriatric odontoid fractures, central cord syndrome, osteoporotic compression fractures, degenerative cervical myelopathy, lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spinal deformity. This introductory article provides an overview of the changing demographics of the global population; discusses the age-related alterations that may occur to the spine; and summarizes the purpose and contents of this focus issue.

Incidence of early postoperative complications requiring surgical revision for recurrent lumbar disc herniation after spinal surgery: a retrospective observational study of 9,310 patients from the German Spine Register

“…Due to the loss of elasticity of the tissue, which can create conditions for a primary prolapse, age is a very important factor in the pathogenesis of this pathology [6, 8]. This is also confirmed by the data we obtained in our study.…”

“…Due to the biomechanics of the pathology, advanced age and pre-existing conditions such as overweight and obesity, as well as the localisation of the affected segment could play a role in the pathology [2, 6–8]. …”

Do Preoperative Corticosteroid Injections Increase the Risk for Infections or Wound Healing Problems After Spine Surgery?

“…1,2 The natural history of mild and moderate LSS is favorable in one-third to half of the patients. 3 First-line treatment options of LSS are usually non-surgical.…”

Comparison between Radiological and Clinical Outcomes of Laminoplasties with Titanium Miniplates for Cervical Myelopathy

“…The incidence of cervical myelopathy is increasing as the elderly population continues to grow 20). Laminoplasty, a surgical method developed in Japan, is regarded as the first surgical treatment of choice for cervical myelopathy in Japan 13).…”