Orthopaedic Facts
One in seven Americans has a musculoskeletal impairment.
In 2003, musculoskeletal symptoms were the number 2 reason for physician visits. Musculoskeletal symptoms include pain, ache, sorness, discomfort, cramps, limitation of movement, stiffness, weakness, and swelling.
Musculoskeletal disorders cost the U.S. $215 billion yearly.
There were almost 56 million physician visits for musculoskeletal injuries in 2003, accounting for 56 percent of all visits for injury.
More than 8 million people were hospitalized in 2003 for musculoskeletal conditions.
Arthritis is the leading chronic condition reported by the elderly.
Back or spine injuries are the most prevalent musculoskeletal impairments.
Each year, musculoskeletal injuries in the U.S. cause children to miss 21 million days of school.
Currently employed workers in the U.S. miss more than 147 million days of work because of musculoskeletal injuries.
Musculoskeletal conditions accounted for almost 157 million visits to physicians' offices.
31 million of these visits were for back problems
19 million of these visits were for knee problems
14 million of these visits were for shoulder problems
11 million of these visits were for foot, toe, and ankle problems
3.8 million of these visits were for carpal tunnel syndrome
Musculoskeletal conditions include injuries to the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments or tendons and conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. |
