Your Orthopaedic Connection: Orthopaedic Fast Facts

Orthopaedic Fast Facts

In 2003, musculoskeletal symptoms were the number 2 reason for physician visits. Musculoskeletal symptoms include pain, ache, soreness, discomfort, cramps, contractures, spasms, limitation of movement, stiffness, weakness, swelling, lump, mass and tumors to the musculoskeletal system. 2
One in seven Americans has a musculoskeletal impairment. 1
Musculoskeletal disorders cost the United States $215 billion yearly. 1
There were almost 56 million physician visits for musculoskeletal injuries in 2003, accounting for 56 percent of all visits for injury. 2
More than 8 million people were hospitalized in 2003 for musculoskeletal conditions. 3
Musculoskeletal conditions accounted for almost 157 million visits to physicians' offices, 15 million visits to hospital outpatient departments, and 29 million visits to emergency departments in 2003. Musculoskeletal conditions include injuries to the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, or tendons and conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis. 2, 4
Musculoskeletal procedures were performed on approximately 6.5 million people in 1996, including 3.6 million people who had outpatient procedures and 2.9 million people who had in-patient procedures. In 2003, almost 3.3 million people had musculoskeletal procedures performed on an in-patient basis. 3, 5
Arthritis is the leading chronic condition reported by the elderly. 1
Back or spine injuries are the most prevalent musculoskeletal impairments. 1
Sprains or dislocations and fractures account for almost one half of all musculoskeletal injuries. 1
Back Problems: Approximately 31 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to back problems in 2003, including more than 10 million visits for low back problems. 2
Knee Problems: Approximately 19 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to knee problems in 2003. 2
Shoulder Problems: Almost 14 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to shoulder problems in 2003. 2
Foot and Ankle Problems: Approximately 11 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to foot, toe, and ankle problems in 2003. 2
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: More than 3.8 million visits were made to physicians in office-based practices in 2003 because of carpal tunnel syndrome. 2
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that in 2001, 26,800 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were reported in private industry. More than 44 percent of these cases resulted in 31 days or more away from work. 6
Missed School Days: Each year, musculoskeletal injuries in the United States cause children to miss 21 million days of school. 1
Work Loss Days: Currently employed workers in the United States miss more than 147 million days of work because of musculoskeletal injuries. 1

Reference List

1 .	Praemer A, Furner S, Rice DP. Musculoskeletal Conditions in the United States. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Rosemont, IL, 1999.
2 .	National Center for Health Statistics, National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2000 (Using all three possible reason-for-visit codes listed; data extracted and analyzed by the AAOS Department of Research and Scientific Affairs.) 2003
3 .	National Center for Health Statistics, National Hospital Discharge Survey, 1996, 2003 (Outpatient data was no longer collected by the NCHS after 1996; data extracted and analyzed by the AAOS Department of Research and Scientific Affairs.)
4 .	National Center for Health Statistics, National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, ER and Outpatient, (Data extracted and analyzed by the AAOS Department of Research and Scientific Affairs.) 2003
5 .	National Center for Health Statistics, National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery, 1996 (Data extracted and analyzed by the AAOS Department of Research and Scientific Affairs.)
6 .	Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lost-Worktime Injuries and Illnesses: Characteristics and Resulting Days Away From Work, 2001. http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/osnr0017.pdf

Last reviewed and updated: July 2007

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Your Orthopaedic Connection
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
6300 N. River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: 847.823.7186
Email: orthoinfo@aaos.org