Musculoskeletal disorders

Musculoskeletal conditions affect your muscles, bones and joints, and include some autoimmune diseases.

A musculoskeletal condition is a disorder or injury that impacts our body’s movement and ability to sit, walk or run. An adult’s musculoskeletal system is made up of 206 bones and more than 600 muscles, connected by ligaments, tendons and soft tissues.

A quarter of adults live with a musculoskeletal condition, with the most common including back pain, fibromyalgia and arthritis. These make up around 30% of GP consultations. The number of patients is increasing rapidly due to our ageing population.

Occasional muscular pain or inflammation is normal, but speak to a GP if your symptoms persist.