In 2000, more visits to physicians' offices were made for musculoskeletal
conditions than for any other reason
One in 7 Americans has a musculoskeletal impairment
Musculoskeletal disorders cost the U.S. $215 billion yearly
There were 56 million physician visits for musculoskeletal injuries in
2000, accounting for 62% of all visits for injury
More than 7 million people were hospitalized in 2000 for musculoskeletal
conditions
Musculoskeletal conditions and injuries accounted for 146 million visits
to physicians' offices, 14 million visits to hospital outpatient
departments, and 30 million visits to emergency departments in 2000
Arthritis is the leading chronic condition reported by the elderly
Approximately 26 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to
back problems in 2000, including 7 million visits for low back problems
Approximately 17 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to
knee problems in 2000
Approximately 12 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to
shoulder problems in 2000
Approximately 13 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to
foot, toe, and ankle problems in 2000
More than 3.4 million visits were made to physicians in office-based
practices in 2000 because of carpal tunnel syndrome. Half these visits were
made to orthopedic surgeons
Each year, musculoskeletal injuries in the U.S. cause children to miss 21
million days of school
Currently employed workers in the U.S. miss more than 147 million days of
work because of musculoskeletal injuries
Statistics from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
