One in four adults have musculoskeletal disorders

Media release from Arthritis New Zealand

A recently released study, called “The Crippling Burden”, has given disturbing statistics on the impact of musculoskeletal disorders. The cost to New Zealand is now more than $5,570 million a year.

This is the first update since ‘The Economic Cost of Arthritis’ report was released in 2006, and the costs are only escalating.

There are over 850,000 New Zealanders who need to have their disorders given higher recognition by healthcare leaders. As it currently stands, arthritis isn’t one of the 13 health priorities.

For many, their musculoskeletal disorder means a lifetime of pain and disability, and the government needs to appreciate the major burden this is placing on society.

Affecting 25 percent of the adult population, musculoskeletal disorders comprise a significant proportion of the country’s total annual health costs and are the leading cause of disability. 

These disorders include; arthritis, osteoporosis, lower back pain, limb and spinal injuries.

Of these disorders, arthritis is the most prevalent with an estimated annual cost to the country of $2,089 million, affecting around half a million people. Imaging alone for arthritis costs $49 million per year.

Chief Executive for Arthritis New Zealand (a participant in the Bone and Joint Decade), Ms Sandra Kirby, says, “Arthritis needs to be taken seriously as the leading cause of disability in New Zealand. Just looking at the costs of these disorders is incredibly alarming.  We need to ensure that musculoskeletal disorders are made a priority in our health system.”

“These costs place an unacceptable burden that can only increase unless we address them now,” says Chris Bossley, co-author of the document, which was produced by The Bone and Joint Decade.

The Bone and Joint Decade is an independent, global, non-profit organisation that works to raise awareness, promote cost-effective prevention and treatment and advance understanding of musculoskeletal disorders.