Disorders of the musculoskeletal system, whether due to congenital or acquired alterations of the body, have important repercussions in the work, economic, psychosocial and family setting of adult individuals. In developed countries, these conditions are considered as a public health problem together with the socioeconomic repercussions they entail.
To determine the incidence of orthopedic disorders in adult patients seen from January 1st 2001 to December 31st 2005 at a private Hospital.
We selected the male and female patients over 18 years of age who presented for their first visit with the orthopedic surgeon for an orthopedic non-traumatic condition.
A total of 18,780 patients were seen; 11,343 (60.4%) females and 7437 (39.6%) males. The predominant orthopedic conditions were: low back problems in 53% of males and 47% of females, and gonarthrosis in 77% of females and 23% of males.
The reported prevalence of orthopedic conditions ranges from 7.2% to 36.2%. Our study is consistent with such reports. Spine and knee conditions accounted for 13.4% and 12.7% among females, and 13.6% and 4.8% among males.