what are the most common musculoskeletal disorders?
what is a musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs)
MSDs are alterations suffering from body structures such as muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves and bones mainly by work and the effects of the environment in which it develops. Most MSDs are disorders cumulative results from an exposure repeated at more or less heavy loads, jobs with repeated movements, lifting of loads, transporting loads, manual handling, forced postures and application of force for an extended period of time.
work-related upper limb disorder definition (WRULDs)
MSDs can also be caused by acute trauma, such as fractures, during an accident. Such disorders mainly affect the arms and hand such as carpal tunnel syndrome (inflammation in wrist nerve that causes tingling, numbness, sensation) and tenosynovitis (inflammation of a tendon) are specific due to their well-defined symptoms is called work-related upper limb disorder (WRULDs).
Musculoskeletal disorders are the origin of the most common occupational diseases and affect thousands of workers each year. Do you want to know what they are?
Today in our blog we are going to show you which are the five most common musculoskeletal disorders that can cause by minor discomfort to more serious conditions requiring medical treatment.
1. Rotator cuff tendonitis
It is the inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder muscles, especially of the rotator cuff, and is usually caused by the overload of the tendons caused by frequent movements of the shoulder in the workplace. Chronic inflammation can lead to injuries that lead to a tear and subsequent rupture of the tendon, that is, a rupture of the rotator cuff. Pain is the main indicator, and it usually increases with arm lifting movements, shoulder rotation, and carrying loads.
2. Epicondylitis
Also known as "tennis elbow" is an injury due to repetitive effort in movement and from which the tendons of the muscles on the outside of the elbow become inflamed. The pain usually begins after forced or repeated movements by extension of the elbow and/or wrist
3. Carpal tunnel syndrome
It is the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist at the level of the interior of the carpal tunnel. It occurs more frequently in women and symptoms begin with alterations in insensitivity in the first, second and third fingers of the hand. In addition, there may be a sensation of heat, tingling, and pain in the palm and fingers. Its origin can be due to forced movements and postures of the hand in flexion and extension, or due to blows in the palmar area of the wrist.
4. Low back pain
It is a painful and persistent contracture of the muscles found in the lower back, specifically in the lower back. If the pain lasts for more than three months, it is considered chronic low back pain and can cause severe disabilities. It usually manifests itself in the workplace due to continuous overloading of the lumbar muscles or also by spending long periods of time sitting in a bad position or with forced postures. In this sense, it is important to carry out an ergonomic evaluation of the workplace.
5. Cervical tension syndrome
It is a painful clinical picture produced by a muscular contracture in the posterior cervical region and which is motivated by an overload of work, the repetitive use of the muscles or by forced neck postures. In addition, it is especially common in workers who maintain this static posture for long periods of time.
MSDs to the neck and upper extremities are commonly known as "sprains or strains," "repetitive strain injuries," or "cumulative traumatic disorders." Specific examples of these types of disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and white finger syndrome.
Hand-arm vibrations that cause numbness, tingling or loss of sensation and force you to exert more force to grasp objects.
What are the risk factors for MSDs
Work environment factor
- Reduced space,
- inadequate design of tools and machinery.
- Excessive heat and excessive cold
- High noise levels,
- Poor lighting or glare,
Individual factors
- The physical capacity of workers varies and previous injuries make the body more vulnerable.
- Lack of information, instructions, experience and training with the job.
- Inappropriate personal protective clothing or equipment,
- Personal factors, such as smoking or obesity.
Organizational factors
- High-speed work.
- Time pressure
- Lack of control of the tasks performed.
- Lack of supervision
Risk evaluation
Employers have a legal obligation to assess the risks in the workplace and to act to guarantee the safety and health of workers and other people who could be injured. This process is called a risk assessment. A proper ergonomic risk assessment helps reduce production losses, severance costs, and higher insurance premiums incurred by businesses.
