Musculoskeletal diseases included in the analysis encompass all conditions discussed in other sections of this website, plus a large number of less common musculoskeletal conditions.

The economic impact includes total and incremental direct and indirect costs due to musculoskeletal conditions.

Direct medical costs include expenditures to doctors and other health care providers, hospitalization or visits to other health care facilities, and medications taken for all causes for patients with a musculoskeletal condition.