April Health Observation: Musculoskeletal (MSK) Awareness

Some of the most costly health challenges in the workforce don’t start with major events. They start quietly—with stiffness, soreness, or a missed day of work that becomes many more.

Musculoskeletal conditions affect millions of working adults and are a leading driver of medical spend, disability, and lost productivity. Yet they’re often treated as unavoidable instead of addressable.

When MSK issues go untreated or unmanaged, they compound. What begins as a manageable condition can progress into chronic pain, invasive procedures, and extended time away from work.

The real opportunity is timing.

Early identification and appropriate care can improve outcomes while reducing unnecessary costs. Employers, advisors, and health plans are uniquely positioned to intervene sooner—and data makes the difference.

Ready to take action? Explore the tools below and start improving outcomes today.
April Health Observation: Musculoskeletal (MSK) Awareness

Preference Sensitive Conditions
Degenerative Arthritis Report

On-Demand Resources

Missed a recent deep dive webinar? Curious about additional Springbuk platform training? Good news! On-demand replays and resources are available in Springbuk University!

Click the topic tabs on the left to explore the Springbuk Product Section in more detail.

Are your members receiving the best care for orthopedic conditions?

According to research, there can be significant variation in surgical decision-making and a lack of clinical agreement among orthopedic surgeons about the need for surgery. In one study, a second opinion resulted in a different recommended treatment plan in 35% of orthopedic cases.

Surgery for joint injuries -- such as rotator cuff injuries and hip and knee replacements -- may not be the best option when compared to physical therapy, pain management, or other more conservative interventions.

See if your members are eligible for preference sensitive procedures and make sure they understand the costs and risks of various strategies.

Go to Insights

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Click the topic tabs on the left to explore the Springbuk Product Section in more detail.

Is degenerative arthritis a significant cost driver for your population?

According to the Mayo Clinic, degenerative arthritis isthe most common joint disease, causing the breakdown of protective cartilage on bone ends. It causes pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, primarily affecting the knees, hips, and spine, typically in those over 50.

Access your population’s ready-made Degenerative Arthritis report in your Report Library to understand what specific joint issues are driving costs in your population.

Reviewing your Degenerative Arthritis Report allows you to see the top service classes that are major drivers of cost for degenerative arthritis.

Get your Degenerative Arthritis Report

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On-Demand Resources

Missed a recent deep dive webinar? Curious about additional Springbuk platform training? Good news! On-demand replays and resources are available in Springbuk University!

Springbuk Activate Highlight: STRETCHIT

Musculoskeletal issues are a leading driver of claims, lost productivity, and burnout.  

STRETCHIT helps employers address MSK risk early by making daily movement simple, accessible, and engaging.  

Why STRETCHIT works:

  • Built for real workdays: No equipment required, with sessions ranging from 4 to 45 minutes
  • Personalized and science‑based: Programs adapt to individual needs to help prevent MSK strain before it escalates
  • Engagement that lasts: Gamification, streaks, and team challenges encourage consistent use across populations
  • Prevention at scale: A cost‑effective way to reduce MSK risk while supporting healthier, more resilient teams.
Looking to strengthen your MSK strategy with an easy‑to‑adopt movement solution? Click here to learn more.  


Please note: The information contained in the Springbuk application is for educational and informational purposes only. We encourage you to use your judgment and conduct due diligence before taking any action or implementing any plans or policies suggested or recommended here. It may also be appropriate to consult your third party administrator or stop loss carrier before making partnership decisions. We believe in empowering you to make informed decisions, but ultimately, your program results will depend on your efforts, your unique situation, and various other factors beyond our control and knowledge.

From Insight to Impact: Health Intelligence in Action

You’ve explored the tools—now make them work for you. Dive into the following curated resources to experience the power of actionable insights and amplify the impact they can deliver for your population.

Insight: MSK Conditions Are a Top Driver of Workplace Absence & Disability

MSK disorders are one of the most common causes of sickness absence and long‑term disability, affecting functional mobility, productivity, and mental wellbeing

Actionable Opportunity: Use Springbuk’s risk scores combined with claims‑based Symmetry ETGs to identify members with repeat MSK utilization patterns and deploy targeted care pathways focused on conservative management (physical therapy, ergonomics, self‑management).

Click 'Learn More' to access National Safety Council – MSK Disorders & Employers resource

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Insight: Early MSK Intervention Reduces Avoidable Imaging, Surgery & ER Use

Research and employer data show that early MSK intervention reduces unnecessary imaging, injections, and surgeries—while improving outcomes and lowering total cost of care.

Actionable Opportunity: Use Springbuk to flag Gaps in Care where MSK symptoms escalate without evidence‑based conservative treatment and redirect high‑risk members toward early PT, digital MSK care, or movement‑based programs.

Click 'Learn More' to access Hinge Health's catalog of MSK resources for employeres

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Insight: Ergonomics & Work Design Are Core MSK Prevention Levers

Poor ergonomics, repetitive motion, and prolonged static posture remain key contributors to MSK injuries—especially in hybrid and remote work environments.

Actionable Opportunity: Use Springbuk's Focus Population functionality to identify locations with high MSK claim density and align them with ergonomic assessments or workplace redesign supported by recognized MSK employer toolkits.

Click 'Learn More' to access the Society of Occupational Medicine – MSK at Work Network Toolkit

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Insight: Employers Play a Critical Role in Supporting People With Chronic MSK Conditions

Toolkits from national employer coalitions emphasize that reasonable adjustments, flexibility, and early support help employees with MSK conditions remain productive and engaged.

Actionable Opportunity: Use Springbuk’s MSK Symmetry cohort data to identify employees with chronic MSK conditions and partner with HR to proactively offer accommodations and support before absence or disability occurs.

Click 'Learn More' to access the Business in the Community – Musculoskeletal Health Toolkit for Employers

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Insight: MSK Health Is Foundational to Physical & Mental Wellbeing

NIAMS and global public‑health organizations highlight that MSK health underpins mobility, independence, physical activity, and mental health across every life stage.

Actionable Opportunity: Use Springbuk’s Condition Groups and Insights dashboards to monitor MSK prevalence alongside comorbid conditions (e.g., depression, obesity), helping benefits teams design integrated, whole‑person health strategies.

Click 'Learn More' to access the NIAMS – National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases resources

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Insight: Musculoskeletal Conditions Are the Leading Cause of Lost Productivity Worldwide

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions—including back pain, neck pain, arthritis, and repetitive strain injuries—are the leading cause of disability globally and among the top drivers of absenteeism and presenteeism in working populations. Global and national health organizations emphasize that many MSK conditions worsen quietly over time when early symptoms go unaddressed, resulting in higher downstream medical costs and lost productivity.

Actionable Opportunity:  Use Springbuk to identify high‑cost and high‑frequency MSK Symmetry condition groups (e.g., low back pain, osteoarthritis) and apply risk scoring to surface employees most likely to progress to disability or extended leave—enabling earlier, targeted intervention during MSK Awareness Month.

Click 'Learn More' to access the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health (G‑MUSC) resources

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