OBJECTIVES: As a result of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related lockdown restrictions, people with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders could be at increased risk of physical and psychological disabilities. This review aimed to summarise the impact of COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions on people with MSK disorders.

METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched for studies in English language published until June 14, 2023. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research. Two reviewers independently abstracted data from the included studies. Data was summarised using narrative synthesis, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment.

RESULTS: The search strategy identified 637 articles, 129 of which were removed as duplicates. Thirteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were analysed. The sample size the studies reviewed ranged from 40 to 1800. Having MSK disorders during COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions led to increased risk of pain, MSK related injuries, decreased quality of life and increased use of emergency department.

CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions led to increased risk of pain, MSK injuries and healthcare resource utilisation, as well as decreased quality of life among patients with MSK disorders. These results may help inform policy and management strategies in future for people with MSK disorders to mitigate the negative impact of pandemic.