The burden is not distributed evenly, often showing a "U-shaped" relationship with a country's development level (Socio-demographic Index or SDI).
: MSK conditions account for 17% of all years lived with disability (YLDs) worldwide. Low back pain alone is the leading cause of disability in 160 countries. The burden of musculoskeletal conditions at the...
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions—a group of more than 150 disorders affecting joints, bones, muscles, and the spine—represent a massive and growing challenge to global health systems. As of 2021, approximately worldwide live with these conditions, making them the leading contributor to disability globally. The Global Landscape (1990–2021) The burden is not distributed evenly, often showing
: In 2021, the global "value of lost welfare" due to MSK disorders was estimated at $2.1 trillion , equivalent to roughly 1.41% of global GDP . Regional and National Disparities Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions—a group of more than 150
: Total cases increased by roughly 95% , reaching 1.686 billion in 2021.
: High-income regions like North America, Australasia, and High-income Asia Pacific report the highest age-standardized prevalence and disability rates. National Extremes :
The Global, Regional, and National Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions