Disorder

Data Source

Year

Observation

Reference

All musculoskeletal disorders

National Health Interview Survey

1988

37.9 million prevalence (15 percent U.S. population) ^a

Lawrence et al., 1998

1995

13.9 percent impairment, U.S. population

Praemer, Furner, and Rice,1999

All musculoskeletal disorders

Health and Retirement Survey (1992-1994)

1992-1994

62.4 percent prevalence in 51 to 61 year-olds; 41 percent of these disabled; 90 percent all disabled had musculoskeletal disorders

Health and Retirement Survey Yelin, Trupin, and Sebesta, 1999

All musculoskeletal disorders

Social Security Insurance Disability

1998

7.7 percent of all disabled Americans on Social Security Insurance (N=4.53 million, with 16.9 percent of all 50 to 59, 23.9 percent of all 60 to 64)

Social Security Bulletin Annual Statistics Summary, 1999:360

Upper extremities (all musculoskeletal disorders) (Hand or wrist)

National Health Interview Survey

1988

9.4 percent overall prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders; 1.55 percent prevalence carpal tunnel syndrome; 0.4 percent prevalence tendinitis

Tanaka et al., 1994, in press