Dieter Grob It is the merit of the Bone and Joint in view of the generally reduced Decade to draw our attention with health situation of the involved - increased intensity to the problem of tients. The important role of the the changes related to aging of our biphosphonates in the treatment, and musculoskeletal system and the asso- perhaps even more so in the prev- ciated socioeconomic implications. tion, of osteoporosis is emphasized In view of the increasing age of the by Fleisch. worldwide population the impact Any successful surgical treatment seems to be tremendous. I congratu- starts with accurate diagnostic pro- late the editors of the present supple- dures. The profound knowledge and ment of the European Spine Journal sophisticated diagnostic techniques in picking up this interesting topic of the complex pathoanatomical and engaging opinion leaders to con- changes in the spine including the tribute their knowledge in this sup- involvement of the neural structures plement. The various contributions (contribution by Dvorak) often go cover some of the important prob- beyond the capacity of a spine s- lems, which are included in the vast geon. Teamwork and adequate c- specter of aging spine: osteoporosis, munication is mandatory.

Editorial

The aging of the population: a growing concern for spine care in the twenty-first century
Review
Natural history of the aging spine
Overview of osteoporosis: pathophysiology and determinants of bone strength
Biomechanics of the aging spine
Recognizing and reporting osteoporotic vertebral fractures
Principles of management of osteometabolic disorders affecting the aging spine
Medical treatment of vertebral osteoporosis
Bisphosphonates in osteoporosis
The aging spine: new technologies and therapeutics for the osteoporotic spine
Vertebroplasty for osteoporotic spine fracture: prevention and treatment
Interdisciplinary approach to balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Economic implication of osteoporotic spine disease: cost to society
Lumbar spinal stenosis in the elderly: an overview
The conservative surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis in the elderly
Cervical myelopathy: clinical and neurophysiological evaluation
Anterior decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Posterior approach to the degenerative cervical spine
Spinal metastasis in the elderly.