Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) outpace chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, in yearly costs. They are the #1 cost in healthcare, the #1 contributor to wasted healthcare spending, and the #1 driver of opioid use. But why are they so overlooked?
The short answer is that MSDs are common. In certain professions, such as emergency responders, shoulder and low back pain seem the norm. However, just because they are common does not mean they are normal.
The recurrence of MSDs leads many populations into treatment traps. These traps are created to benefit someone else rather than provide care, and they are hard to get out of. Traps can be
- Diagnostic– such as over-relying on imaging or misdiagnosing g referred pain
- Treatment- such as looking for quick fixes for short term relief
- Systematic– such as only treating MSDs as they arrive rather than promoting MSK health.
Today’s trends in musculoskeletal (MSK) health and MSDs lend themselves to these traps rather than focusing on treating the patient.
2025 Trends
- AI Driven Treatment Plans
- Affordability of Health Services
- Healthcare Rationing
- Collaboration between Employers and Healthcare Providers
- Integration of Digital Health Platforms
- Aging Workforce
- Chronic Disease, Obesity, and Lifestyles
- Accessibility of Health Services
- Focus on Preventative MSK Care
- Individualized Healthcare
We are taking the next few months to dive deeper into each of these topics. Understanding the positives of each trend as well as the setbacks they cause is essential to providing your employees with the right care, at the right price, at the right time.
Our team at Solveglobal understands the headaches that come with finding the right healthcare solutions. We provide individualized care that surpasses trends and can help your employees and business thrive.
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