Summary Primary Diagnosis

Of the 19 million health care visits by children and adolescents in 2012, 15.6 million had a primary diagnosis of a musculoskeletal-related condition. The greater proportion (75%) were for the treatment of traumatic injuries, again excluding sports injuries. The second and third most common primary diagnosis remained a pain syndrome (11%) and deformity (6%). Although other musculoskeletal related conditions accounted for 3% or fewer of total health care visits for a musculoskeletal-related condition, they nevertheless remain serious health concerns for children and adolescents. (Reference Table 7.1.2 PDF [1] CSV [2])

Again, the majority of visits were to physicians’ offices (57%), while visits to an emergency department with a primary musculoskeletal-related condition diagnosis accounted for 28% of visits. Hospital discharges accounted for less than 1% of total visits with a primary musculoskeletal diagnosis. Health care visits that included a primary diagnosis of a musculoskeletal-related condition represented 6% of visits made by children and adolescents for any reason, but were 14% of all visits to the emergency department. (Reference Table 7.1.2 PDF [1] CSV [2])