Musculoskeletal Pain Market

• Musculoskeletal pain is defined as acute or chronic pain that affects bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and even nerves.
• Companies such as Mesoblast, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Charleston Laboratories, Sorrento Therapeutics, Centrexion Therapeutics, Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, and Taiwan Liposome Company are actively involved in developing therapies for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the drugs most frequently recommended by orthopedic surgeons. NSAIDs and aspirin have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties and inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX).
• The total 7MM prevalent cases of musculoskeletal pain in 2023 were around 147 million out of which the highest cases were seen in the United States.
• Among 7MM, the United States accounts for the highest market size of musculoskeletal pain in 2023 with nearly USD 3295 million.
• In February 2023, Mesoblast announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies (OTAT) granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation for rexlemestrocel-L in the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP) associated with disc degeneration, in combination with hyaluronic acid (HA) as a delivery agent for injection into the lumbar disc.
• Taiwan Liposome Company published Phase II results of TLC599 in arthritis research & therapy and presented Phase III data at ACR 2023 late-breaking abstract session.

DelveInsight's “Musculoskeletal Pain Market Insight, Epidemiology and Market Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth analysis of musculoskeletal pain epidemiology, market, and clinical development in musculoskeletal pain. In addition to this, the report provides historical and forecasted epidemiology and market data as well as a detailed analysis of the musculoskeletal pain market trends in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.

The Musculoskeletal Pain market report provides real-world prescription pattern analysis, emerging drugs assessment, market share, and uptake/adoption pattern of individual therapies, as well as historical and forecasted Musculoskeletal Pain market size from 2020 to 2034 in 7MM. The report also covers current Musculoskeletal Pain treatment practices/algorithms and unmet medical needs to curate the best opportunities and assess the market’s underlying potential.

Musculoskeletal Pain Treatment Market

Musculoskeletal Pain Overview and Diagnosis

Musculoskeletal conditions are typically characterized by pain (often persistent pain) and limitations in mobility, dexterity, and functional ability, reducing people’s ability to work and participate in social roles with associated impacts on mental well-being and, at a broader level, impacting the prosperity of communities. The most common and disabling musculoskeletal conditions are osteoarthritis, back and neck pain, fractures associated with bone fragility, injuries, and systemic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. The impact of pain on work comes at a high cost to individuals in terms of their health and well-being and places a significant burden across society. There is a need for a broader approach to work retention and rehabilitation that reflects the complex and multi-factorial nature of presenteeism, absenteeism, and long-term incapacity for work.

Methods of diagnosis of musculoskeletal pain, apart from blood tests, CT scan, MRI, US, and Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), include Arthroscopy, Joint aspiration (Arthrocentesis), and nerve and muscle pain test. Some grading and scoring systems are used to assess pain intensity, like the visual Analogue Scale/Graphic Rating Scale, Numerical Rating Scale, Verbal Rating Scale, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, pain drawing, and others. Biomarkers like bradykinin, serotonin, nerve growth factor (NGF) and substance P, hypertonic saline, glutamate, and capsaicin are used to identify some specific musculoskeletal disorder that causes bone, muscle, and joint pain.

The musculoskeletal pain report provides an overview of musculoskeletal pain pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and detailed treatment algorithm along with a real-world scenario of a patient’s journey beginning from the first symptom, the time taken for diagnosis to the entire treatment process.

Further details related to country-based variations in diagnosis are provided in the report...

Musculoskeletal Pain Treatment

Primarily, analgesics and opioids are used to treat musculoskeletal pain, but some adjuvants are widely used, like corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics, and antidepressants. The potential benefit for patients susceptible to treatment with these strategies should be considered, utilized alternately and more specifically in pain units, depending on the specific case (injections, laser, ultrasound, radiation therapy, thermotherapy, cryotherapy, TENS, ozone, nitric oxide, iontophoresis, neurosurgical treatment or spinal catheters). Besides, there are therapeutic choices for some types of pain that are focused on specific disorders, such as migraine (triptans) or neuralgias (dressing of 5% lidocaine, capsaicin ointment, or 2% lidocaine gel).

Musculoskeletal Pain Epidemiology

The Musculoskeletal Pain epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented as total diagnosed prevalent cases of musculoskeletal pain, age-specific cases of musculoskeletal pain, gender-specific cases of musculoskeletal pain in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034.

• The total 7MM prevalent cases of musculoskeletal pain in 2023 were around 147 million out of which the highest cases were seen in the United States.
• EU4 and the UK accounted for 56 million cases in 2023. Among EU4 and the UK, France had the highest prevalent cases in 2023, followed by the United Kingdom. Conversely, Germany reported the lowest number of prevalent cases that year.
• Assessments as per DelveInsight’s analysts showed that the highest number of musculoskeletal pain cases were reported in the 45–64 years age group, followed by the 18-44 years age group.
• In 2023, there were approximately 36 million prevalent cases of musculoskeletal pain among males and approximately 41 million prevalent cases among females in the United States.

Musculoskeletal Pain Recent Developments

• In February 2025, NEXT Biomedical announced that it has applied for FDA Breakthrough Device designation for its musculoskeletal embolization treatment, Nexsphere-F.

Musculoskeletal Pain Drug Chapters

The drug chapter segment of the musculoskeletal pain report encloses a detailed analysis of musculoskeletal pain-marketed drugs and late-stage (Phase III and Phase II) pipeline drugs. It also deep dives into the musculoskeletal pain pivotal clinical trial details, recent and expected market approvals, patent details, the latest news, and recent deals and collaborations.

Musculoskeletal Pain Marketed Drug

ZILRETTA: Flexion Therapeutics

ZILRETTA/ FX006 (triamcinolone acetonide) is an extended-release corticosteroid approved to manage osteoarthritis knee pain. It is the first and only extended-release, intra-articular therapy for patients confronting osteoarthritis knee pain. It employs proprietary microsphere technology combining triamcinolone acetonide, a commonly administered, immediate-release corticosteroid, with a poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) matrix to provide extended pain relief. ZILRETTA received approval from the US FDA in October 2017. The pivotal Phase III trial, on which the approval of ZILRETTA was based, showed that the drug significantly reduced osteoarthritis knee pain for 12 weeks, with some people experiencing pain relief through Week 16.

LOQOA Tape: Taisho Pharmaceutical

Loqoa Tape (S-flurbiprofen, mentha oil) is a transdermal anti-inflammatory analgesic patch formulation indicated to treat osteoarthritis pain and inflammation. LOQOA Tape was co-developed by Taisho Pharmaceutical and Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings' consolidated subsidiary TOKUHON. It is marketed in Japan by Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical and Teijin Pharma. In September 2015, LOQOA Tape was approved to treat osteoarthritis pain and inflammation in Japan. In Phase III clinical trials in which a flurbiprofen gel patch was administered as a controlled drug to patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint, LOQOA Tape as a patch formulation to be applied once a day was found to significantly improve the pain in the patient’s knee joints. Regarding the safety profile, a 52-week long-term drug administration study confirmed that LOQOA Tape possesses good tolerability for patients with osteoarthritis.

Note: Detailed current therapy assessment will be provided in the full report of Musculoskeletal Pain...

Musculoskeletal Pain Emerging Drugs

Rexlemestrocel-L (MPC-06-ID): Mesoblast

Rexlemestrocel-L/MPC-06-ID is a candidate for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP) caused by disc degeneration.  It is being developed for patients who have exhausted conservative treatment options, may have failed epidural steroid injections, and have no further treatment option other than invasive and costly surgical interventions. Mesoblast completed the Phase III trial of rexlemestrocel-L for CLBP. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a single injection of rexlemestrocel-L alone or combined with Hyaluronic Acid (HA) in subjects with chronic low back pain. It was seen that a single injection of rexlemestrocel-L + HA carrier resulted in at least 2 years of pain reduction with opioid-sparing activity in patients with CLBP due to degenerative disc disease.

TLC599: Taiwan Liposome Company

TLC599 is Taiwan Liposome’s proprietary BioSeizer formulation of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) designed to provide sustained pain management for up to 24 weeks. TLC599 has the potential to enable patients to receive both immediate and sustained benefits from the local delivery of a highly potent and clinically validated steroid that typically has a very short half-life. It is the world’s first multilamellar and multivesicular lipid formulation of DSP for osteoarthritis and provides fast onset and sustained release of up to 6 months. TLC599 could achieve usage in 26% of all US knee OA patients. It is presently being studied in Phase III to treat osteoarthritis.

Note: Detailed emerging therapies assessment will be provided in the final report...

Drug Class Insight

Musculoskeletal pain is often managed with a variety of drug classes, depending on the severity and underlying cause of the pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. For more severe pain, opioids like tramadol or oxycodone may be prescribed, although these are used cautiously due to their potential for addiction. Muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine, are also employed to ease muscle spasms. One of the most common classes is cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, found in NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib.

Additionally, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitors, like ketamine, can be used in certain cases of severe musculoskeletal pain, especially when it is neuropathic in nature.

Musculoskeletal Pain Market Outlook

The market outlook for musculoskeletal pain management is promising, with significant advancements in both marketed and emerging therapies. ZILRETTA, from Flexion Therapeutics, remains a key player, offering extended-release pain relief for osteoarthritis knee pain through innovative microsphere technology. Similarly, Taisho Pharmaceutical's LOQOA Tape, a transdermal patch for osteoarthritis pain, has shown strong safety and efficacy in long-term studies. Emerging therapies like Mesoblast’s Rexlemestrocel-L and Taiwan Liposome’s TLC599, which offer sustained pain relief for chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis, respectively, further highlight the potential for improved patient outcomes and market expansion in pain management.

Key players, such as Mesoblast, Taiwan Liposome Company, and others are evaluating their lead candidates in different stages of clinical development, respectively. They aim to investigate their products for the treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain.

• Among 7MM, the United States accounts for the highest market size of musculoskeletal pain in 2023 with nearly USD 3295 million.
• Among the EU4 and the UK, France had the highest market size in 2023, while Germany had the lowest market size for Musculoskeletal Pain.
• The dynamics of the musculoskeletal pain market are anticipated to change in the coming years owing to the expected launch of emerging therapies. The rising research, prevalence, and screening, along with the emergence of novel therapies, will fuel the market during the forecast period of 2024–2034.

Musculoskeletal Pain Drugs Uptake

This section focuses on the uptake rate of potential drugs expected to be launched in the market during 2020–2034, which depends on the competitive landscape, safety, and efficacy data along with order of entry. It is important to understand that the key players evaluating their novel therapies in the pivotal and confirmatory trials should remain vigilant when selecting appropriate comparators to stand the greatest chance of a positive opinion from regulatory bodies, leading to approval, smooth launch, and rapid uptake.

Further detailed analysis of emerging therapies drug uptake in the report...

Musculoskeletal Pain Activities

The report provides insights into different Musculoskeletal Pain clinical trials within Phase III and Phase II stages. It also analyzes key players involved in developing targeted therapeutics.

Pipeline Development Activities

The report covers information on collaborations, acquisitions and mergers, licensing, and patent details for Musculoskeletal Pain emerging therapies.

KOL Views

To keep up with the real-world scenario in current and emerging market trends, we take opinions from Key Industry leaders working in the domain through primary research to fill the data gaps and validate our secondary research. Industry Experts contacted for insights on the evolving treatment landscape, patient reliance on conventional therapies, patient therapy switching acceptability, and drug uptake along with challenges related to accessibility, including Medical/scientific writers, Doctors, Professors, and Others.

DelveInsight’s analysts connected with 20+ KOLs to gather insights; however, interviews were conducted with 10+ KOLs in the 7MM. Centers such as the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Carnegie Mellon University, etc., were contacted. Their opinion helps understand and validate current and emerging therapy treatment patterns or Musculoskeletal Pain market trends.

Qualitative Analysis

We perform Qualitative and market Intelligence analysis using various approaches, such as SWOT analysis and Conjoint Analysis. In the SWOT analysis, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in terms of gaps in disease diagnosis, patient awareness, physician acceptability, competitive landscape, cost-effectiveness, and geographical accessibility of therapies are provided.

Conjoint Analysis analyzes multiple approved and emerging therapies based on relevant attributes such as safety, efficacy, frequency of administration, route of administration, and order of entry. Scoring is given based on these parameters to analyze the effectiveness of therapy.

In efficacy, the trial’s primary and secondary outcome measures are evaluated; for instance, in event-free survival, one of the most important primary outcome measures is event-free survival and overall survival.

Further, the therapies’ safety is evaluated wherein the acceptability, tolerability, and adverse events are majorly observed, and it sets a clear understanding of the side effects posed by the drug in the trials. In addition, the scoring is also based on the probability of success, and the addressable patient pool for each therapy. According to these parameters, the final weightage score and the ranking of the emerging therapies are decided.

Market Access and Reimbursement

Reimbursement may be referred to as the negotiation of a price between a manufacturer and payer that allows the manufacturer access to the market. It is provided to reduce the high costs and make the essential drugs affordable. Health technology assessment (HTA) plays an important role in reimbursement decision-making and recommending the use of a drug. These recommendations vary widely throughout the seven major markets, even for the same drug. In the US healthcare system, both Public and Private health insurance coverage are included. Also, Medicare and Medicaid are the largest government-funded programs in the US. The major healthcare programs including Medicare, Medicaid, Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the state and federal health insurance marketplaces are overseen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Other than these, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), and third-party organizations that provide services, and educational programs to aid patients are also present.

The report further provides detailed insights on the country-wise accessibility and reimbursement scenarios, cost-effectiveness scenario of currently used therapies, programs making accessibility easier and out-of-pocket costs more affordable, insights on patients insured under federal or state government prescription drug programs, etc.

Scope of the Musculoskeletal Pain Market Report

• The report covers a segment of key events, an executive summary, descriptive overview of Musculoskeletal Pain, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, and currently available therapies.
• Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, and disease progression along treatment guidelines.
• Additionally, an all-inclusive account of both the current and emerging therapies, along with the elaborative profiles of late-stage and prominent therapies, will have an impact on the current treatment landscape.
• A detailed review of the Musculoskeletal Pain market, historical and forecasted market size, market share by therapies, detailed assumptions, and rationale behind our approach is included in the report, covering the 7MM drug outreach.
• The report provides an edge while developing business strategies, by understanding trends, through SWOT analysis and expert insights/KOL views, patient journey, and treatment preferences that help in shaping and driving the 7MM Musculoskeletal Pain market.

Musculoskeletal Pain Report Insights

• Musculoskeletal Pain Patient Population
• Musculoskeletal Pain Therapeutic Approaches
• Musculoskeletal Pain Pipeline Analysis
• Musculoskeletal Pain Market Size and Trends
• Existing and future Market Opportunity

Musculoskeletal Pain Report Key Strengths

• Eleven Years Forecast
• 7MM Coverage
• Musculoskeletal Pain Epidemiology Segmentation
• Key Cross Competition
• Conjoint analysis
• Musculoskeletal Pain Drugs Uptake
• Key Musculoskeletal Pain Market Forecast Assumptions

Musculoskeletal Pain Report Assessment

• Current Musculoskeletal Pain Treatment Practices
• Musculoskeletal Pain Unmet Needs
• Musculoskeletal Pain Pipeline Product Profiles
• Musculoskeletal Pain Market Attractiveness
• Qualitative Analysis (SWOT and Conjoint Analysis)
• Musculoskeletal Pain Market Drivers
• Musculoskeletal Pain Market Barriers

FAQs

• What is the historical and forecasted Musculoskeletal Pain patient pool/patient burden in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan?
• What was the Musculoskeletal Pain total market size, the market size by therapies, and market share (%) distribution in 2020, and what would it look like in 2034? What are the contributing factors/key catalysts for this growth?
• Which combination treatment approaches will have a significant impact on the Musculoskeletal Pain drug treatment market size?
• What are the pricing variations among different geographies for approved therapy?
• What are the current and emerging options for the treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain?
• How many companies are developing therapies for the treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain?
• What are the recent novel therapies, targets, mechanisms of action, and technologies developed to overcome the limitations of existing therapies?
• Patient acceptability in terms of preferred treatment options as per real-world scenarios?
• What are the country-specific accessibility issues of expensive, recently approved therapies?

Reasons to buy Musculoskeletal Pain Market Forecast Report:

• The report will help in developing business strategies by understanding the latest trends and changing treatment dynamics driving the Musculoskeletal Pain Market.
• Insights on patient burden/disease prevalence, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• Understand the existing market opportunities in varying geographies and the growth potential over the coming years.
• Distribution of historical and current patient share based on real-world prescription data along with reported sales of approved products in the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan.
• Patient-based forecast model which uses bottom-up forecasting techniques is accepted as a gold standard in pharma forecasting.
• Identifying strong upcoming players in the market will help devise strategies to help get ahead of competitors.
• Detailed analysis and ranking of class-wise potential current and emerging therapies under the conjoint analysis section to provide visibility around leading classes.
• Highlights of access and reimbursement policies of approved therapies, barriers to accessibility of expensive off-label therapies, and patient assistance programs.
• To understand Key Opinion Leaders’ perspectives around the accessibility, acceptability, and compliance-related challenges of existing treatment to overcome barriers in the future.
• Detailed insights on the unmet needs of the existing market so that the upcoming players can strengthen their development and launch strategy.