Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions have a huge and well-documented impact on both population health and global health economies, as well as on the ability of people everywhere to remain healthy, independent, productive and mobile. This carries an enormous financial and socio-economic cost to societies across the globe. For the many millions of people living with MSK conditions around the world, this means living in often significant, sometimes chronic and sometimes debilitating pain. Despite this, MSK conditions continue to be universally under-recognized and under-prioritized in national and international health strategies, domestic policies and funding arrangements, relative to their cost and impact. As a result, MSK research also remains widely under-recognized and under-resourced. 

MSK research – encompassing basic, clinical and translational – is essential in understanding the nature of MSK conditions and therefore identifying the best ways in which to treat and manage them at both individual and population level. It allows for the development of increasingly effective treatments, both clinical and pharmacological, capable of preventing the onset of symptoms and disease progression, of alleviating of pain and enabling the maintenance or return to mobility. MSK research generates the knowledge which underpins all informed, effective efforts at successfully dealing with the huge and growing burden of MSK conditions worldwide. Recent/ongoing research has demonstrated that MSK conditions are in fact foundational to many other widespread and serious conditions, by identifying the many and sometimes strong links which many MSK conditions have with cancer, diabetes, strokes, cardiovascular disease and others. Often MSK conditions provide risk factors for other widespread conditions, particularly strokes and diabetes. Effectively addressing MSK conditions provides an important platform for alleviating and managing many others including wider health issues such as obesity, and for preventing or mitigating the impact of traumatic events such as fragility fractures, all of which affect a large percentage of any population.

Above all, MSK conditions must be regarded as a priority by all health systems, both nationally and internationally, in a way that is commensurate with their actual cost and impact, as clearly demonstrated by the Global Burden of Disease studies in particular. The WHO, and international regional governmental organizations such as the EU, have a key role to play in setting strategies and priorities which recognize and address this. The international health community must focus more attention on developing comparative studies on the impact of MSK relative to other conditions, and identifying solutions capable of amplified impact. The study, prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries should be among the leading health concerns in the minds, actions and funding priorities of policy makers, health providers and the public. If national and international funding bodies and health services embark on the necessary strategies, a society where the prevention, treatment and care of people with musculoskeletal disorders is of a high standard and consistently accessible is possible. This would give people the freedom to move without pain and be independent.

The IFMRS, together with its member organizations, is leading efforts to improve knowledge-sharing and joined-up working at a global level and across the spectrum of MSK research. The Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health’s report Towards a Global Strategy to Improve Musculoskeletal Health provides an excellent overarching framework for action. Platforms such as the MSK Knowledge Portal and HubLE represent unique and ground-breaking initiatives to easily access knowledge in MSK research and to engage MSK researchers from across the world, including early career researchers and researchers from low and middle-Income countries, in a growing and thriving multidisciplinary community. These efforts must however be matched by clear policy priorities and tangible commitments from governments and funding bodies to invest in MSK research and MSK education, and must have the proactive and visible backing of governments across all their communications channels.