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Musculoskeletal conditions

Musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) are a range of over 200 disorders which affect the joints, bones, muscles and soft tissues. While rarely fatal, they can be very debilitating and can have a significant social and economic impact on a person's life.

 Estimates from the Labour Force Survey show that the total number of cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2024/25 was 511,000, a prevalence rate of 1,470 per 100,000 workers and musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 27% of all work-related ill health cases in Great Britain.

Key findings

  • In the Lancashire-12 area 21.5% of the population aged 16+ report a musculoskeletal condition (defined as joint problems), significantly higher than the England rate (17.9%) (2024). In Blackpool (25.7%) the proportion is also significantly higher than England whereas in Blackburn with Darwen it is similar (17.7%).

  • 8 of Lancashire's districts have significantly higher proportion of the population reporting MSK problems when compared with England, these include Wyre (26.9% - highest in the county), Hyndburn (25.6%), Burnley (24.4%), Rossendale (22.3%), Fylde (22.1%), West Lancashire (21.4%), Pendle (20.4%), and Chorley (19.9%).

  • 16.5% of the population in Lancashire report at least two long-term conditions (where one is MSK), which is again significantly higher than England (13.4%). Blackpool (20.0%) is also significantly higher whilst Blackburn with Darwen (12.9%) is similar to England.

  • 7 districts within Lancashire also have significantly higher rates when compared with England, these include Wyre (21.9%), Hyndburn (20.2%), Burnley (19.6%), Lancaster (17.6%), Rossendale (17.3%), Fylde (16.4%), West Lancashire (15.7%).

  • Figures from the 2023/24 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicate that across the Lancashire-12 area there are 8,986 (0.8%, 2nd highest quintile in England) persons (aged 16+) with a confirmed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. In Blackpool this number is 1,377 (0.9%, within the highest quintile) and in Blackburn with Darwen it is 1,090 (0.7%, in the 2nd lowest quintile).  

  • Lancashire's rate of hip fractures in persons aged over 65 (2024/25) is 551 per 100,000 statistically similar when compared with England overall (536 per 100,000), both Blackburn with Darwen (514) and Blackpool (546) have statistically similar rates to England.

  • Within Lancashire's districts only Hyndburn (745) and Preston (637) have statistically higher rates of hip fractures when compared with England whilst Wyre (439) and Lancaster (396) have statistically lower rates with the latter being the only district to see a declining trend.

MSK is an area that is considered to be under reported by the QOF disease registers, due to disparity between the recorded prevalence and prevalence estimates taken from research studies which can vary widely, with one such study suggesting that a fifth of the population (aged 16+) will consult a GP about an MSK related condition each year.

For further details, please see the Versus Arthritis musculoskeletal calculator and the 'State of musculoskeletal health 2024' report (PDF 1.5MB). 

For county and unitary data and further information please see below

Page updated July 2026