Musculoskeletal disorders are a group of conditions that can affect the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and spinal disks. They can cause pain, loss of mobility, swelling, and stiffness.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 150 musculoskeletal disorders exist.

Some of the most common ones are listed below.

Several musculoskeletal disorders can affect the joints, including:

  • Gout: A type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints. Gout typically affects the lower limbs.
  • Osteoarthritis: A disease in which the cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
  • Psoriatic arthritis: A type of arthritis most often associated with psoriasis that can cause fatigue, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: A chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, commonly affecting the hands, wrists, and feet.
  • Bursitis: Bursitis occurs when there is inflammation of the bursa, which can cause pain and a reduction of mobility in the joints. A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that minimizes friction between the tendons, bones, and joints.

Musculoskeletal disorders that can affect the bones include:

  • Osteoporosis: A gradual weakening of the bones, which typically develops slowly, making the bones more vulnerable to fractures and breaks.
  • Osteopenia: A decrease in bone mineral density that is not as severe as with osteoporosis.
  • Osteomalacia: A softening of the bones caused by defective bone mineralization, often due to vitamin D deficiency.

Several musculoskeletal disorders can affect the muscles and tendons, such as:

  • Muscular dystrophy: A group of genetic conditions that slowly cause the muscles to weaken over time.
  • Sarcopenia: The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function.
  • Myasthenia gravis: An autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles.
  • Rotator cuff tear: A torn tendon around the shoulder joint that can cause pain and a reduction in mobility.
  • Tendinitis: inflammation of a tendon. Repetitive strain on a tendon can cause pain, swelling, and reduced mobility in that area.

Symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders can vary.

However, symptoms often include pain and restricted mobility, which can affect a person’s day-to-day life.

A person can also experience:

According to the WHO, the risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder increases with aging.

Additionally, 2022 research suggests that females may be more likely to develop a musculoskeletal disorder than males.

Other causes and risk factors for developing a musculoskeletal disorder may include:

To diagnose a musculoskeletal disorder, a doctor may perform a physical examination to observe a person’s posture and gait. They may also assess each joint for:

  • range of motion
  • stability
  • tenderness
  • swelling
  • redness or discoloration
  • popping, clicking, or cracking sounds

Following a physical examination, a doctor may order several tests and imaging scans, such as:

Treatment for a musculoskeletal disorder can vary depending on symptoms and affected areas.

Several treatment options may help reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness, and improve range of motion. These can include:

There are several ways to help prevent a musculoskeletal disorder from developing, including:

  • warm up and stretch before physical activity
  • use good ergonomics and avoid repetitive or prolonged strain
  • use proper lifting techniques and avoid excessive loads
  • quit smoking
  • do regular, low impact exercise
  • manage stress
  • maintain a moderate weight

Musculoskeletal disorders are conditions that can affect joints, muscles, and bones.

Symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders can include pain and reduced mobility. Treatments may include pain medications, physical therapy, and joint replacement surgery.

A person with symptoms should speak with a healthcare professional who can determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment.