Why improving musculoskeletal health is a strategic priority for employers

Musculoskeletal conditions affect more than half of Americans, impacting both employee wellbeing and company finances. Addressing this growing health concern requires a proactive approach from employers, and not just those in industries that commonly require their people to engage in manual work.

The $353 Billion impact on employer healthcare costs

Musculoskeletal conditions present significant challenges for both employees and employers.

The data is compelling: over 50% of working US adults experience musculoskeletal conditions that limit productivity and increase healthcare costs, not to mention cause pain, impair function, and substantially reduce workplace efficiency.

Three out of four employers now rank musculoskeletal conditions among their top two health cost drivers, with companies spending a staggering $353 billion annually on treatments. That's nearly 15% of all employer medical costs.

And the problem is only getting worse. Experts project spinal disorders will increase by 26% in the next decade, while arthritis and osteoporosis cases will surge by more than 30% within 20 years.

The broader impact on productivity and attendance

When employees experience back pain or joint issues, the effects extend throughout an organization:

• Workers with musculoskeletal conditions miss an average of 14 workdays annually
• Each employee with arthritis adds nearly $9,000 to an employer’s annual healthcare costs
• Low back pain sufferers cost approximately $2,400 more in medical and pharmacy expenses
• 20% of employees reporting low back pain miss over a month of work
• Construction workers with tennis elbow face up to 9 months of recurring flare-ups and absences

"Once you get tendonitis in the elbow, it takes 9 months on average to get back to full health," explains Brad Brasfield, Physical Therapist at Rezilient Health. "That doesn't mean an employee will be out for 9 months, but flare-ups will likely cause them to miss workdays."

Understanding the prevalence of knee pain

Nearly half of your workforce may be struggling with knee pain right now—a condition accounting for 5% of all primary care visits.

The financial impact can be significant: Employees with knee pain miss an average of 19 workdays yearly, and those suffering from osteoarthritis—a common cause of knee pain—can cost your business an additional $7,707 in annual healthcare expenses.

Reassessing surgical interventions

What many employers don't realize is that 36% of musculoskeletal surgeries are unnecessary.

Employers and health plans could save at least $90 billion annually if employees chose alternative pain-relief methods like physical therapy instead of rushing to surgery.

"If someone has a significant structural injury that won't get better, like a meniscus tear that's causing instability, they might need surgery," says Brasfield. "But for most minor injuries, the body does a pretty good job healing itself, especially with neck and back issues. The key is early intervention and sometimes it is not even what exercises we prescribe, but what activities to avoid and modify so a patient’s body can heal itself in the proper muscle length and postural alignment.”

The connection between physical and mental health

The impact of musculoskeletal conditions extends beyond physical pain. When employees can't engage in activities that give them a sense of community and identity, their mental health suffers, further complicating their healthcare needs.

Research shows that physically active people are less likely to develop depression or experience stress and anxiety. Workers who rate their mental health as fair or poor miss approximately 12 days annually due to mental health-related absences—costing employers around $340 per day for full-time workers.

Invest in your workforce's musculoskeletal health

With musculoskeletal conditions projected to increase over the next decade, forward-thinking employers are implementing preventive strategies that support both employee wellbeing and organizational financial health.