More than one in two persons age 18 years and older in the US population reports a chronic musculoskeletal condition. This compares to a rate of 31 and 28 persons per every 100 in the population for circulatory (including treatment for high blood pressure) and respiratory conditions, respectively.
The increased prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions associated with the aging population will necessarily place increased demands on the health care system. However, the growth in the health manpower pool is not keeping pace with the growing prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions. In fact, two medical specialties focused on the care of persons with these diseases, rheumatology and geriatrics, are having a difficult time recruiting new physicians because they are not among the most highly remunerated specialties.
Analysis includes all five digit codes within each three-digit category.
Fractures
Trunk and Multiple Site Fractures
Fracture of rib(s), sternum, larynx, and trachea : 807
Fracture of pelvis : 808
Ill-defined fractures of bones of trunk : 809
Multiple fractures involving both upper limbs and upper limb with rib(s) and sternum : 819
Multiple fractures involving both lower limbs, lower with upper limb, and lower limb(s) with rib(s) and sternum : 828
