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. 2022 Nov;11(11):814-825.
doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.1111.BJR-2022-0181.R1.

The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ville Ponkilainen  1 , Ilari Kuitunen  2 , Rasmus Liukkonen  3 , Matias Vaajala  3 , Aleksi Reito  3 , Mikko Uimonen  1
Affiliations

The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ville Ponkilainen et al. Bone Joint Res. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to gather epidemiological information on selected musculoskeletal injuries and to provide pooled injury-specific incidence rates.

Methods: PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and Scopus (Elsevier) databases were searched. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they reported incidence rate (or count with population at risk), contained data on adult population, and were written in English language. The number of cases and population at risk were collected, and the pooled incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using either a fixed or random effects model.

Results: The screening of titles yielded 206 articles eligible for inclusion in the study. Of these, 173 (84%) articles provided sufficient information to be included in the pooled incidence rates. Incidences of fractures were investigated in 154 studies, and the most common fractures in the whole adult population based on the pooled incidence rates were distal radius fractures (212.0, 95% CI 178.1 to 252.4 per 100,000 person-years), finger fractures (117.1, 95% CI 105.3 to 130.2 per 100,000 person-years), and hip fractures (112.9, 95% CI 82.2 to 154.9 per 100,000 person-years). The most common sprains and dislocations were ankle sprains (429.4, 95% CI 243.0 to 759.0 per 100,000 person-years) and first-time patellar dislocations (32.8, 95% CI 21.6 to 49.7 per 100,000 person-years). The most common injuries were anterior cruciate ligament (17.5, 95% CI 6.0 to 50.2 per 100,000 person-years) and Achilles (13.7, 95% CI 9.6 to 19.5 per 100,000 person-years) ruptures.

Conclusion: The presented pooled incidence estimates serve as important references in assessing the global economic and social burden of musculoskeletal injuries.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(11):814-825.

Keywords: Ankle sprains; Distal radius fractures; Epidemiology; Injuries; Pelvic fractures; Public health; anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); finger fractures; hip fractures; musculoskeletal injuries; patellar dislocations; ruptures; sprains.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The pooled incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals of injuries. The incidence rates were calculated by using random or fixed effects model, based on the heterogeneity of the included studies. ACL, anterior cruciate ligament.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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