Physical Activity in Long Term Musculoskeletal Conditions

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Original Editor - Caroline Hooper

Top Contributors - Wendy Walker, Kim Jackson, Lucinda hampton, Tony Lowe, Michelle Lee, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Vidya Acharya, Tarina van der Stockt, Rucha Gadgil and Lauren Lopez  

Introduction: Long Term Musculoskeletal Conditions.

In 2015, a study on the Global Burden of Disease and the worldwide impact of all diseases and risk factors included back and neck pain, osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders in the leading ten causes of adult global age-specific years lived with disability. The report stated that Musculoskeletal disorders continue to be a leading cause of disability worldwide” . It advised that “A key component of healthy ageing is to maintain mobility, and a key public health intervention recommended for improving health outcomes for all chronic diseases is physical activity. Painful musculoskeletal disorders increase with age and are a great threat to mobility, compromising health more broadly.34, 35, 36 Even if cures for musculoskeletal disorders are not yet available, the clinical goal of preventing disability is attainable.37, 38

Recommendations

Health Data

All this public health activity must be underpinned by high quality data about musculoskeletal health. The extent and quality of clinical data collected from primary care, community and out-patients health records must be urgently improved. Government agencies across the United Kingdom should work with the musculoskeletal community to agree a consistent question set for use in local and national population surveys to determine the impact of poor musculoskeletal health. 

Musculoskeletal Health and Musculoskeletal Conditions

Musculoskeletal health means more than the absence of a musculoskeletal condition. Good musculoskeletal health means that the muscles, joints and bones work well together without pain. People with good musculoskeletal health can carry out the activities they want to with ease and without discomfort. It is possible to have poor musculoskeletal health without having a specific musculoskeletal condition.

Benefits of Musculoskeletal Health

As well as enabling people to live their lives now, good musculoskeletal health also includes building muscles, joints and bones that will continue to be healthy for many years ahead.

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