Musculoskeletal Pain and Diseases (2024 Statistics)

Written by: Nurudeen Tijani (Wellness and Pain Relief Fitness Coach)

chart shows trend of msk pain in U.S.

According to the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) [1], [2], [3]:

  • Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading cause of disability in adults.
  • 1 in 2 adults are affected by musculoskeletal disorders.
  • 1 in 3 (101.3 million) adults suffer from chronic neck and/or low back pain.
  • The current trend of MSK disorders will result in increased healthcare costs, pain, disability, and lost productivity.
  • MSK disorders are treatable and preventable.

As of 2024, the trend of MSK disorders continue to increase in the U.S. and worldwide. This analysis helps to understand public concern and awareness regarding different MSK conditions over the past two decades.

Image source: boneandjointburden.org

graph of US population reporting chronic medical conditions

Prevalence of MSK Pain Worldwide (2004 - 2024 Data)

Executive Summary

Overview:

This section provides a comprehensive analysis of global search interest trends for various musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions based on Google Trends data from January 2004 to July 2024.

Google Trends Explanation:

Google Trends measures search interest on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 represents the peak popularity of a search term. When comparing multiple search terms, the scale is adjusted relatively to reflect the popularity of each term in relation to the others. This means that the search interest values are not absolute but relative to the highest point of interest among the compared terms during the specified time period. The data provides insights into the relative frequency of searches over time, helping to identify trends and shifts in public interest regarding specific conditions.

Comparative Analysis between the US and Worldwide Data

When comparing global trends to the US-specific data, several similarities and differences emerge. Both datasets highlight lower back pain and leg pain as conditions with high search interest, reflecting significant public concern. However, knee pain is categorized as high interest worldwide but medium interest in the US. Conversely, foot pain is high interest in the US but medium interest worldwide.

Additionally, shoulder pain and neck pain have a medium level of interest in both datasets, indicating a growing public awareness globally and in the US. Low-interest conditions like wrist pain, elbow pain, and forearm pain are consistent across both datasets, suggesting these conditions might be less common or less recognized by the general public.

Key Insights

  • High Interest Conditions: Lower back pain and leg pain consistently show the highest search interest worldwide and in the US, reflecting their significant impact on daily life and public health. Knee pain is highly searched worldwide but has medium interest in the US, while foot pain is highly searched in the US but has medium interest worldwide.
  • Medium Interest Conditions: Neck pain and shoulder pain demonstrate moderate levels of search interest globally and in the US, indicating growing public awareness and concern. Knee pain is a high-interest condition worldwide but only medium interest in the US, whereas foot pain is high interest in the US but medium worldwide.
  • Low Interest Conditions: Wrist pain, elbow pain, and forearm pain have lower search interest globally and in the US, suggesting they might be less common or less recognized by the general public.

Data Source

For more detailed information and to verify the data used in this analysis, please refer to the Google Trends data source.

Limitations of the Data

  1. Internet Availability: In the early 2000s, internet access was limited in many developing countries, which may have resulted in lower search volumes for MSK conditions from these regions. This could skew the data towards regions with better internet penetration.
  2. Increased Internet Usage: The increased availability of internet and health information online in recent years has likely led to more searches for information on MSK conditions. This trend could contribute to an apparent increase in search interest over time, independent of actual changes in the prevalence of these conditions.
  3. Relative Nature of Google Trends Data: Google Trends data is relative and scaled to the highest point of interest within the specified time period. This means the values are not absolute but reflect the relative popularity of search terms compared to their peak interest. Therefore, the data should be interpreted with caution, especially when comparing different time periods or regions.
  4. Google Trends Coverage: Google Trends only captures data from Google searches. It does not include data from other search engines or health information platforms, which might be more popular in certain regions.
  5. Public Awareness and Media Influence: Public awareness and media coverage of certain conditions can influence search behavior. Peaks in search interest might coincide with media reports or public health campaigns related to MSK conditions.

Visual Charts

This section presents visual comparisons of search interest trends for various musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in the US and worldwide from January 2004 to July 2024. The charts help illustrate the differences and similarities in public concern and awareness regarding these conditions.

Interactive Google Trends Chart for Top 5 MSK Conditions Worldwide

Chart Description: This interactive chart allows you to explore the search interest trends for the top 5 MSK conditions worldwide from January 2004 to July 2024. Use the interactive features to examine the data in more detail.

Google Trends for MSK Pain Conditions in the US (January 2004 - July 2024)

Chart Description: This chart shows the search interest trends for various MSK conditions in the US from January 2004 to July 2024. It highlights the relative popularity and concern for each condition over time within the US.

musculoskeletal pain conditions in the United States chart

Google Trends for MSK Pain Conditions Worldwide (January 2004 - July 2024)

Chart Description: This chart shows the search interest trends for various MSK conditions worldwide from January 2004 to July 2024. It highlights the global concern and awareness for each condition over time.

musculoskeletal pain and conditions worldwide chart

Google Trends for MSK Pain Conditions (US vs. Worldwide, January 2004 - July 2024)

Chart Description: This chart compares the search interest trends for various MSK conditions between the US and worldwide from January 2004 to July 2024. It highlights the differences and similarities in public concern and awareness for these conditions over time.

MSD in US vs worldwide chart

Search Interest Categories

The search interest for various musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions has been categorized into three groups based on the average search interest from January 2004 to July 2024. This categorization helps to prioritize conditions based on public concern and awareness.

High Interest

  • Worldwide: Lower Back Pain (66.4), Leg Pain (61.8), Knee Pain (59.0)
  • US: Leg Pain (65.0), Lower Back Pain (62.2), Foot Pain (60.2)

Lower back pain and leg pain consistently show the highest search interest worldwide and in the US, reflecting their significant impact on daily life and public health. Knee pain is highly searched worldwide but has medium interest in the US, while foot pain is highly searched in the US but medium worldwide.

Medium Interest

  • Worldwide: Neck Pain (56.7), Shoulder Pain (53.1), Foot Pain (49.9)
  • US: Knee Pain (55.1), Neck Pain (51.5), Shoulder Pain (48.8)

Neck pain and shoulder pain demonstrate moderate levels of search interest globally and in the US, indicating growing public awareness and concern. Knee pain is a high-interest condition worldwide but only medium interest in the US, whereas foot pain is high interest in the US but medium worldwide.

Low Interest

  • Worldwide: Wrist Pain (15.8), Elbow Pain (15.5), Forearm Pain (4.1)
  • US: Elbow Pain (11.6), Wrist Pain (17.8), Forearm Pain (5.1)

Wrist pain, elbow pain, and forearm pain have lower search interest globally and in the US, suggesting they might be less common or less recognized by the general public.


Detailed Summary for Each Condition

Lower Back Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for lower back pain has consistently been one of the highest among the conditions, showing a significant upward trend over the years. In the US, it grew from an average of 26.2 in 2004 to 62.2 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 33.3 to 66.4.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 62.2, Worldwide: 66.4
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 100 (July 2018), Worldwide: 100 (January 2019)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 22 (March 2004), Worldwide: 28 (May 2007)
  • Learn about treatments for upper back pain.

Leg Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for leg pain has consistently been high, showing a significant upward trend over the years. In the US, it grew from an average of 34.8 in 2004 to 65.0 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 35.5 to 61.8.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 65.0, Worldwide: 61.8
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 100 (June 2023), Worldwide: 100 (April 2021)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 29 (January 2004), Worldwide: 31 (January 2004)

Knee Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for knee pain has shown a steady upward trend over the years, indicating increasing concern. In the US, it grew from an average of 24.2 in 2004 to 55.1 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 31.1 to 59.0.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 55.1, Worldwide: 59.0
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 94 (June 2023), Worldwide: 95 (April 2024)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 20 (December 2005), Worldwide: 26 (December 2004)

Neck Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for neck pain has shown a steady upward trend over the years, indicating increasing concern. In the US, it grew from an average of 24.9 in 2004 to 51.5 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 32.8 to 56.7.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 51.5, Worldwide: 56.7
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 83 (January 2021), Worldwide: 88 (February 2024)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 22 (January 2004), Worldwide: 29 (November 2008)

Shoulder Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for shoulder pain has shown a steady upward trend over the years, reflecting growing concern. In the US, it grew from an average of 20.2 in 2004 to 48.8 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 26.8 to 53.1.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 48.8, Worldwide: 53.1
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 82 (February 2023), Worldwide: 85 (January 2020)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 17 (April 2004), Worldwide: 23 (June 2004)

Foot Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for foot pain has shown a steady upward trend over the years, indicating increasing concern. In the US, it grew from an average of 28.3 in 2004 to 60.2 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 29.0 to 49.9.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 60.2, Worldwide: 49.9
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 94 (July 2018), Worldwide: 76 (August 2022)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 22 (February 2004), Worldwide: 23 (February 2004)

Wrist Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for wrist pain has shown a steady upward trend over the years. In the US, it grew from an average of 7.8 in 2004 to 17.8 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 8.0 to 15.8.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 17.8, Worldwide: 15.8
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 29 (March 2023), Worldwide: 25 (May 2021)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 6 (March 2004), Worldwide: 7 (February 2004)

Elbow Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for elbow pain has remained relatively low but has shown a gradual upward trend over the years. In the US, it grew from an average of 5.1 in 2004 to 11.6 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 8.1 to 15.5.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 11.6, Worldwide: 15.5
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 19 (February 2022), Worldwide: 24 (July 2019)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 4 (April 2004), Worldwide: 7 (February 2004)

Forearm Pain

  • Trends Over Time: The search interest for forearm pain has remained relatively low but stable over the years. In the US, it grew from an average of 1.9 in 2004 to 5.1 in recent data. Worldwide, it grew from an average of 1.9 to 4.1.
  • Average Search Interest: US: 5.1, Worldwide: 4.1
  • Peak Search Interest: US: 9 (February 2023), Worldwide: 7 (February 2021)
  • Lowest Search Interest: US: 0 (July 2004), Worldwide: 1 (February 2004)

Contact    About    Privacy    Terms    Sitemap    |    Copyright © 2024 TitaniumPhysique LLC.

Disclaimer: (1) Fitness results vary by individual effort, as such, individual results may vary; (2) We use Microsoft Clarity on our website to ensure you have the best possible browsing experience. Our privacy policy has more details.