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What Are Musculoskeletal Disorders?
Musculoskeletal disorders include a group of conditions that
involve the nerves, tendons, muscles, and supporting structures
such as intervertebral discs. They represent a wide range
of disorders, which can differ in severity from mild periodic
symptoms to severe chronic and debilitating conditions. Examples
include carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis, tension neck
syndrome, and low back pain.
What Are Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)?
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders are musculoskeletal
disorders caused or made worse by the work environment.
WMSDs can cause severe and debilitating symptoms such as
pain, numbness, and tingling; reduced worker productivity;
lost time from work; temporary or permanent disability; inability
to preform job tasks; and an increase in workers compensation
costs.
Musculoskeletal disorders are often confused with ergonomics.
Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions
and job demands to the capabilities of workers. In other words,
musculoskeletal disorders are the problem and ergonomics is
a solution.
What Are the Risk Factors for WMSDs?
Repetitive, forceful, or prolonged exertions of the hands;
frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying of
heavy objects; prolonged awkward postures; and vibration contribute
to WMSDs. Jobs or working conditions that combine risk factors
will increase the risk for musculoskeletal problems.
The level of risk depends on how long a worker is exposed
to these conditions, how often they are exposed, and the level
of exposure.
How Common Are MSDs?
Musculoskeletal disorders of any cause are among the most
prevalent medical problems, affecting 7% of the population
and accounting for 14% of physician visits and 19% of hospital
stays.
When looking specifically at work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) reports that in 1995, 62% (308,000) of all illness cases
were due to disorders associated with repeated trauma. This
figure does not include back injuries. BLS
also reports that the number of cases of repeated trauma has
increased significantly, rising from 23,800 cases in 1972
to 332,000 cases in 1994—a fourteen-fold increase. In
1995 the number of cases decreased by 7% to 308,000 reported
cases, but this number still exceeds the number of cases in
any year prior to 1994.
When looking specifically at cases involving days away from
work, for which more detailed information is available, BLS
reports that in 1994, approximately 32% or 705,800 cases were
the result of overexertion or repetitive motion. This figure includes back injuries.
What Can Be Done to Prevent WMSDs?
Much can be done to prevent WMSDs. Ergonomics programs to
prevent WMSDs can be tailored to a particular workplace.
To read the rest
of this excellent article on work-related musculoskeletal
disorders, produced by NIOSH, please click here: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/muskdsfs.html
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