Most lumbar and cervical spine surgery patients fall into body mass index categories 3 and 4, according to the American Spine Surgery 2025 Annual Report.

The report, which uses data from the American Spine Registry, shared data from 2015 to 2023.

Here is the distribution of lumbar spine patients from 2015 to 2023 based on BMI category.

Category 1 (Underweight): 2,182

Category 2 (Normal) : 37,009

Category 3 (Pre-obesity): 68,797

Category 4 (Obesity class I): 49,593

Category 5 (Obesity class II): 23,036

Category 6 (Obesity class III): 10,307

 

Here is the distribution of cervical spine patients from 2025 to 2023 based on BMI category.

Category 1 (Underweight): 1,315

Category 2 (Normal) : 20,648

Category 3 (Pre-obesity): 34,795

Category 4 (Obesity class I): 23,260

Category 5 (Obesity class II): 10,442

Category 6 (Obesity class III): 4,853

 

The American Spine Registry is a partnership between the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.