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This page presents information about trends in indicators related to musculoskeletal health.

Table of contents

Long term musculoskeletal problems prevalence

Persons, 16+ years

Time period South West Value 95% confidence interval lower limit 95% confidence interval upper limit England Value
2018 19.1 18.8 19.4 18.8
2019 19.2 18.9 19.5 18.8
2020 19.2 18.9 19.5 18.3
2021 17.8 17.6 18.1 17.0
2022 18.3 18.0 18.6 17.6
2023 19.0 18.7 19.3 18.4

You can find more information about this indicator and related data on our Fingertips website. Fingertips is a data platform that contains a large range of indicators organised into topics, such as tobacco, mental health, and mortality.

View long term musculoskeletal problems prevalence data.

View the long term musculoskeletal problems prevalence definition.

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Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (based on GP Patient Survey data)

The line chart shows the percentage of people aged 16 and over who report long-term arthritis or ongoing problem with back or joints. The proportion in the South West changed from 19.1% in 2018 to 19.0% in 2023.


Emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures, ages 65 and over

Persons, 65+ years

Time period South West Value 95% confidence interval lower limit 95% confidence interval upper limit England Value
2010/11 575 561 590 615
2011/12 586 572 600 612
2012/13 582 568 596 600
2013/14 606 592 621 616
2014/15 596 583 611 601
2015/16 599 585 613 593
2016/17 568 555 582 580
2017/18 565 552 579 584
2018/19 568 555 581 566
2019/20 560 547 573 581
2020/21 527 514 539 539
2021/22 540 528 553 551
2022/23 547 535 560 558

You can find more information about this indicator and related data on our Fingertips website. Fingertips is a data platform that contains a large range of indicators organised into topics, such as tobacco, mental health, and mortality.

View emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures, ages 65 and over data.

View the emergency hospital admissions for hip fractures, ages 65 and over definition.

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Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities using NHS England Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid year population estimates

The line chart shows the rate of emergency hospital admissions for fractured neck of femur in people aged 65 and over. The directly standardised rate in the South West decreased from 575 per 100,000 in the financial year ending 2011 to 547 per 100,000 in the financial year ending 2023.


Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence

Persons, 16+ years

Time period South West Value 95% confidence interval lower limit 95% confidence interval upper limit England Value
2013/14 0.79 0.78 0.79 0.73
2014/15 0.80 0.79 0.81 0.73
2015/16 0.80 0.80 0.81 0.73
2016/17 0.82 0.81 0.83 0.74
2017/18 0.83 0.82 0.84 0.75
2018/19 0.84 0.84 0.85 0.76
2019/20 0.86 0.85 0.86 0.77
2020/21 0.86 0.86 0.87 0.77
2021/22 0.86 0.86 0.87 0.77
2022/23 0.86 0.86 0.87 0.76
2023/24 0.87 0.87 0.88 0.77

You can find more information about this indicator and related data on our Fingertips website. Fingertips is a data platform that contains a large range of indicators organised into topics, such as tobacco, mental health, and mortality.

View rheumatoid arthritis prevalence data.

View the rheumatoid arthritis prevalence definition.

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Source: Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), NHS England

The line chart shows the percentage of patients aged 16 and over with rheumatoid arthritis recorded on practice disease register. The crude rate in the South West increased from 0.79% in the financial year ending 2014 to 0.87% in the financial year ending 2024.


Osteoporosis prevalence, ages 50 and over

Persons, 50+ years

Time period South West Value 95% confidence interval lower limit 95% confidence interval upper limit England Value
2012/13 0.31 0.30 0.31 0.25
2013/14 0.48 0.47 0.49 0.40
2014/15 0.20 0.20 0.21 0.17
2015/16 0.38 0.38 0.39 0.31
2016/17 0.66 0.65 0.67 0.47
2017/18 0.85 0.84 0.86 0.62
2018/19 1.14 1.12 1.15 0.79
2019/20 1.21 1.19 1.22 0.85
2020/21 1.06 1.05 1.08 0.76
2021/22 1.19 1.18 1.20 0.85
2022/23 1.38 1.36 1.39 0.97
2023/24 1.53 1.51 1.54 1.10

You can find more information about this indicator and related data on our Fingertips website. Fingertips is a data platform that contains a large range of indicators organised into topics, such as tobacco, mental health, and mortality.

View osteoporosis prevalence, ages 50 and over data.

View the osteoporosis prevalence, ages 50 and over definition.

Visit the musculoskeletal health: local profiles on Fingertips for more information on musculoskeletal health.

Source: Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), NHS England

The line chart shows the percentage of patients aged 50 and over with osteoporosis recorded on practice disease register. The crude rate in the South West increased from 0.31% in the financial year ending 2013 to 1.53% in the financial year ending 2024.