Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions include illnesses or conditions involving joint inflammation, loss of bone density, bone fractures and soft tissue injuries including sprains and strains. Major presentations of these conditions are pain, stiffness, disability and deformity.

Arthritis occurs in various forms, of which osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common. Less common types include juvenile arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, gout and psoriatic arthritis. Back pain and osteoporosis are other major musculoskeletal conditions.

The high social and economic costs, and the limitations on activity and mobility associated with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, has led to their identification as a National Health Priority Area (NHPA) by the Australian Governments.

The AIHW has established the National Centre for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions to follow the impact of these conditions on individuals and the community, and the outcomes of various management and prevention strategies.

Related information

• Additional information about arthritis, osteoporosis and other chronic diseases
• National Health Priority Areas

Recent release

• Medication use for arthritis and osteoporosis (25 February 2010)

Popular title

• Arthritis and osteoporosis in Australia 2008

Key facts

• More than 6 million Australians have arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition.
• Back pain or disc-related disorders are the most common of musculoskeletal conditions, reported by more than 3 million Australians.
• A similar number (3 million) have arthritis, of whom 1.6 million have osteoarthritis and 430,000 have rheumatoid arthritis.
• Arthritis is not limited to adults; some 4,000 Australian children also have this joint problem.
• An estimated 690,000 Australians have osteoporosis, a large contributor to fractures in older persons.
• Musculoskeletal conditions were the third most common reason for a person visiting a GP in 2007-08.
• More than 50,000 total knee and hip joint replacements are performed each year, the majority on account of osteoarthritis.
• These conditions accounted for $4 billion or 7.5% of health system expenditure in 2004-05.
• Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are the most common source of disability in Australia.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce symptoms and help to prevent damage to the joints due to arthritis.
• A healthy diet, regular exercise and not smoking can help to prevent osteoporosis and reduce its insidious effects.