Musculoskeletal Conditions

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect bones, joints, muscles and the spine and can be the cause of severe pain. MSK conditions are categorised in the following three groups:

• Inflammatory conditions

• Conditions of MSK pain

• Osteoporosis and fragility fractures (falls pathway covered in a separate area)

In the UK, 21% of the Global Burden of Disease is due to MSK conditions and the number 1 cause of disability globally is lower back pain. These conditions heavily impact quality of life as although they are less likely to be a cause of death than other long-term conditions, they can lead to many years of life impacted by disability. This is measured in years lived with disability (YLD), which make household, work and social activities harder, and also affect mental wellbeing and potentially lead to isolation.

In February 2022, a Health Needs Assessment of MSK was produced for BLMK (Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes City). This found that in the areas covered by BLMK:

• The prevalence of long-term MSK conditions is between 14.9% and 17.5%, lower than the national average of 18.6%

• MSK conditions accounted for 30% of the cases of work-related ill health, the second most common cause

• The average Quality of Life (QoL) score for people with MSK conditions is close to 0.60, significantly worse than adults without a long-term condition (0.92)

A summary of the full report can be downloaded below.