One in every two Americans suffers from a musculoskeletal disorder, or problems with the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments. Disorders of the musculoskeletal system are no laughing matter and can cause lost work time and decreased quality of life. The human body is designed to move and if it is prevented, it is highly unnatural, affecting not just your physical wellbeing but also your mental health.
The field of orthopedics is the study of the bones and muscles and deals with the treatment and prevention issues of the skeleton and muscles. There is a great demand for orthopedics. Let’s discuss further why that is.
Reason #1 The Population is Aging
Age is a risk factor for orthopedic injuries since the muscles become rigid and lose their elasticity, the joints may break down, and bones, too, can become brittle. Americans are living longer, and the aging population increases the demand for orthopedic care.
Reason #2 The Need for Joint Replacement
This ties into reason #1. As the joints break down, arthritis progresses. The degenerative condition causes pain, stiffness, and a limited range of motion. In 2020, there were 2 million arthroscopic hip and knee replacements performed in the United States – a 24 percent growth from the previous year. And the methods to replace the joints as well as the quality of implants only continue to improve.
Reason #3 More Americans Are Becoming Physically Active
The days of slowly becoming sedentary once you become elderly are no longer the case. An increasing number of elderly patients are staying active through exercise and sports and have a desire to live longer and better. Being physically active also increases the risk of orthopedic injuries, therefore increasing the demand for orthopedic care.
Reason #4 Obesity Rates Continue to Rise
Despite greater health awareness, the number of overweight and obese Americans continues to increase. The effects of excess pounds on the bones and joints are well-documented. Obesity is associated with a range of disabling musculoskeletal conditions, such as fractures and osteoarthritis.
Reason #5 A Desire to Be Healthier
Americans want to be healthier. Survey responses show that approximately 60 percent want to feel healthy and lose weight. This segment of the population is also driving the demand for orthopedics. A shift into a physically active lifestyle could lead to injuries, but many Americans want to do it the safe way, increasing the demand for sports medicine services for exercise and conditioning programs to reach their health and fitness goals.
As long as people experience pain and loss of function and mobility from orthopedic injuries and degenerative conditions, the services of orthopedic specialists will continue to rise in demand. Orthopedic doctors help patients who are in pain get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Orthopedic Practice in Dover, New Jersey
If you are looking for superior orthopedic services in West Jersey, choose the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons can treat a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries and also help you prevent them. We treat patients who have been injured from exercise, sports, and their occupation.
We are very compassionate and understand the desire to remain active and healthy, and we will help you achieve your goals. To schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists, call our orthopedic clinic in Dover today at (973) 989-0888 or use our convenient appointment request form.
