Addressing the growing burden of musculoskeletal diseases in the ageing US population: challenges and innovations

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…