Musculoskeletal conditions
In the borough of Rochdale, 21.7 per cent of the population report a long term musculoskeletal problem compared to the national average of 17.6 per cent (GP Patient Survey, 2022).
What are musculoskeletal conditions?
Musculoskeletal conditions are the largest cause of disability in the UK and have a significant impact on quality of life. They refer to conditions that affect muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments and range from short lived fractures and sprains to lifelong conditions associated with ongoing pain and disability (World Health Organisation 2018).
Among the conditions included under the term musculoskeletal conditions are:
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Back and neck pain
- Inflammatory diseases
Symptoms, prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions
The main symptoms of musculoskeletal conditions are of pain and restricted movement. In long-term conditions, this pain is normally persistent.
Musculoskeletal conditions share similar risk factors to other non-communicable diseases, such as a lack of physical activity, poor diet, obesity and smoking. Management of conditions can require a combination of specialist or surgical care, as well as exercise, psychological and pharmacological therapies.
Statistics on musculoskeletal conditions
- NHS Digital – Quality Outcome Framework - the prevalence of some musculoskeletal conditions in the borough can be viewed through the Quality Outcomes Framework tool on the NHS Digital site. It also allows you to see data down to GP Practice level for osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Musculoskeletal diseases profile - this profile provides data to enable the commissioning of high values musculoskeletal services and includes sections on key indicators, risk factors, physical activity, comorbidity, back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Guidance and information on musculoskeletal conditions
- National Institute of Health and Social Care Excellence (NICE) guidance - Musculoskeletal conditions - NICE has produced a number of documents that cover musculoskeletal conditions including guidance on arthritis, fractures, hip conditions, back pain and osteoporosis.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Musculoskeletal diseases supporting information and resources - the section of the profile contains links to more data, information and ideas that can help to explore the issues raised in the profile in more detail and inform actions to improve health outcomes.