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The Hidden Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the UK: A Call to Action

July 30, 2025 Comments Off on The Hidden Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the UK: A Call to Action

Dear Readers,

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions like arthritis, back pain, and osteoporosis affect nearly one in three people in the UK—a figure that’s both staggering and deeply personal for many. The newly released State of Musculoskeletal Health 2024 report by Versus Arthritis sheds light on just how significant and wide-reaching this impact is.

At HealthPlus, we believe that informed care begins with informed awareness. Here are some critical insights we’d like to highlight:

1. MSK Conditions Are Everywhere

Over 20 million people in the UK live with a musculoskeletal condition. That includes:

  • 10 million with osteoarthritis
  • 1.6 million with gout
  • 450,000 with rheumatoid arthritis
  • 11 million with back pain annually
  • 18–28 million with chronic pain

These conditions don’t just cause pain—they affect mobility, independence, and mental wellbeing.

2. Inequality Deepens the Problem

People living in deprived areas are more likely to:

  • Develop arthritis at a younger age
  • Experience more severe symptoms
  • Live with multiple long-term conditions
  • Face greater barriers to care and joint replacement surgeries

This inequality is both unjust and avoidable—and addressing it requires both systemic change and individual clinician awareness.

3. The Workplace Impact Is Enormous

MSK conditions are a leading cause of lost working days in the UK. In 2022 alone:

  • 23.4 million days were lost due to MSK conditions
  • MSK issues were the second most common reason for GP-issued fit notes
  • Workers with arthritis are 20% less likely to remain employed

This highlights a crucial need for better workplace support and more accessible treatment pathways.

4. Mental Health and Multimorbidity Go Hand-in-Hand

Living with pain is more than physical. Many people with MSK conditions also experience:

  • Depression and anxiety
  • Social isolation
  • Increased risk of other chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease

We must treat MSK conditions holistically, acknowledging the mental and emotional toll they take.

What Can We Do?

At HealthPlus, we see this report not as a source of dismay—but as a call to action.
It confirms what we already advocate:

  • Early access to physiotherapy and self-management support
  • Tailored, person-centred care
  • Proactive conversations about physical activity, mental health, and social needs
  • Empowerment, not just prescriptions

Let’s keep working toward a future where no one’s life is limited by MSK conditions—and where every person is seen, heard, and supported.

Warm regards,
The HealthPlus Team