This report includes a range of deformity conditions that affect the spine. The most common spinal deformity in older adults is acquired through multiple vertebral fractures resulting in kyphosis. For each thoracic vertebral fracture, it is estimated there is an estimated decline of 7% in functional vital capacity1, which is compounded by additional fractures. Vertebral fractures are often clinically unrecognized, and may show merely as height loss. Nonetheless, vertebral fractures greatly increase the likelihood of future fractures and mortality.2,3
The most familiar spinal deformity condition is that of curvature of the spine, which includes scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis. In addition to curvature of the spine, other spinal deformity conditions include spondylolisthesis, spinal infections, complications of surgery, and spondylopathies. Of the 15.5 million health care visits for spinal deformity, 10.5 million had a diagnosis of spondylopathy, which refers to any disease of the vertebrae or spinal column associated with compression of peripheral nerve roots and spinal cord, causing pain and stiffness.
The oldest age group, people aged 75 years and older, account for the largest share of vertebral compression fractures (44%) and a major portion (34%) of acquired curvature of the spine, even though they represent only 8% of the population aged 18 years and older. They also account for a large share (29%) of spondylopathy diagnosis as well as 25% of idiopathic curvature of spine diagnosis; this is overall a larger share of all spinal deformity diagnoses than expected for the size of this age group.
People aged 65 to 74 years comprise 9% of the population over 18 years of age. This group also has a higher than expected share of healthcare visits for all spinal deformity diagnoses. The two conditions that stand out in this age group are traumatic spinal fractures (35% of total visits) and spondylolisthesis (30% of all visits).
On an annual average, 15.5 million healthcare visits were made between the years 2008 and 2011 by people aged 18 years and older. Those aged 45 to 64 years, 35% of the population aged 18 years and older, were treated in 44% of these visits. (Reference Table 9B.3 PDF [1] CSV [2])
Links:
[1] https://www.boneandjointburden.org/docs/T9B.3.pdf
[2] https://www.boneandjointburden.org/docs/T9B.3.csv