Addressing the growing burden of musculoskeletal diseases in the ageing US population: challenges and innovations
Andrew Nguyen, Philip Lee, Edward K. Rodriguez, Karen Chahal, Benjamin R. Freedman, Ara Nazarian
Abstract
The prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and rheumatoid arthritis is rising sharply with global ageing, increasing disability rates among older adults (aged ≥60 years), diminishing quality of life, and burdening health-care systems. Current musculoskeletal care for older adults faces multiple limitations, including comorbidities, frailty, and fragmented care. High osteoarthritis prevalence in individuals older than 55 years, the mounting economic burden of osteoporotic fractures, the growing concern of muscle mass decline, and insufficient guideline implementation collectively underscore these challenges. In the USA, musculoskeletal diseases affect over 121 million people and account for the highest rate of disability among all disease groups, underscoring the need for targeted strategies. Although promising solutions encompassing advanced pharmacological therapies, regenerative medicine, and digital health technologies (including artificial intelligence) are available, they remain underutilised in existing care models. This Personal View discusses the need for personalised, multidisciplinary approaches to address these issues, advocating for collaboration among the orthopaedic, geriatric, and health-care sectors in the USA. We propose that prevention of musculoskeletal diseases is key to its effective management in ageing populations, alongside a holistic, scalable approach that integrates diagnostics, therapy, and telemedicine. Early intervention, interdisciplinary collaboration, and personalised care are essential to improving patient outcomes and addressing the growing musculoskeletal disease burden in the USA.