Are You at Risk for a Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder?

The musculoskeletal system produces movement and provides support for the body. It is made up of the various bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the body. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a group of painful disorders that result when your working conditions cause or worsen a musculoskeletal disorder.

Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and tension neck syndrome.

This article will discuss causes, types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

What Is a Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD)?

A work-related musculoskeletal disorder is a musculoskeletal disorder caused or worsened by working conditions. Musculoskeletal disorders include any conditions that affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons, or ligaments that compromise their structure and function, often resulting in pain.

Other Names for WMSD

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders may be referred to by several other names. These conditions all relate to the same two core characteristics: that the musculoskeletal system is affected and that the condition results from repeated strain or overuse from physical activity at work.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are sometimes referred to as the following:

• Overuse syndrome, disorders, or injuries
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Cumulative trauma disorders
• Occupational disorders
• Soft tissue disorders

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms

Symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders can vary depending on the body part affected. They all share the same two characteristics, however, of musculoskeletal pain and loss of function. These symptoms make performing work duties painful and difficult and/or impossible depending on the severity of the condition.

Other symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders include:

• Muscle tightness, stiff joints, and restricted range of motion
• Joint instability
• Numbness, burning, or tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty performing movements or maintaining certain positions

How Do WMSDs Occur?

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders occur from work conditions that involve repeated strain on the body. Repeated physical activity through movements or prolonged positioning or postures can cause stress and irritation, especially over time.

Certain professions are more likely to experience a greater prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to the physically demanding nature of the jobs. Healthcare workers are one of the most common employee groups affected by WMSDs.

It has been reported that up to 90% of physical therapists will experience a WMSD at some point in their career, with the majority of injuries affecting the lower back. More than 70% of nurses are affected by WMSDs as well, often affecting the lower back, neck, and shoulders.

Other professions commonly affected by WMSDs include farmers, factory workers, construction workers, and office workers.

Muscle Injury

Muscle injuries can result from strains caused by prolonged postures. Common areas strained include the lower back, neck, and shoulder muscles. Repeated movements can also irritate muscles, as well as heavy lifting. 

Tendon Injury

Tendons connect muscles to bones. Tendon injuries, including tears and tendonitis, often affect the tendons of the shoulder, arm, and wrist muscles. Repeated hand or shoulder use can strain these tendons over time, especially when the muscles lack enough strength to keep up with work demands. The tendons of the rotator cuff in the shoulder and wrist flexors and extensors of the forearm are common sites of tendon injuries.

Nerve Injury

While nerves technically belong to the nervous system, nerve injuries can result from WMSDs due to compression from nearby muscles or tendons. One of the most common nerve-related WMSD is carpal tunnel syndrome, which results when the wrist flexor tendons compress the median nerve at the wrist. Pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and fingers often result.

What Are the Risk Factors for WMSDs?

Most WMSDs result from a combination of factors related to work demands, equipment used, and workplace environment. Risk factors associated with WMSDs consist of:

• Long duration of physical labor
• Compression or contact stress
• Awkward positions or postures
• Vibration
• High amount of force used
• Repetition of movements or tasks

Additionally, job-related stress, lack of support from colleagues and managers, and high work demands increase the likelihood of developing a WMSD.

How Are WMSDs Diagnosed?

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are diagnosed by a healthcare provider, either your primary care provider (PCP) or a specialist. Your employer may choose to send you to an occupational health department. Healthcare providers working in occupational health specifically manage workplace injuries and help coordinate care for worker’s compensation and appropriate treatment.

You may have an X-ray taken to make sure you do not have a broken bone. If your healthcare provider determines that your injury is a mild or chronic condition, you will often be referred to physical therapy first to help manage your symptoms.

If you have a more severe case or see no improvement in symptoms after several weeks of physical therapy, your healthcare provider may recommend more diagnostic imaging. An magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan, or ultrasound can help determine a more accurate diagnosis.

How Are WMSDs Treated?

Treatment for work-related musculoskeletal disorders will vary depending on the severity of the disorder. First and foremost, rest from aggravating work activities is needed to help your symptoms calm down. Sometimes, employers can accommodate and put you on light duty, depending on your job responsibilities. In other cases, time off from work entirely may be needed.

If you experience a lot of pain from your WMSD, your healthcare provider may recommend or prescribe certain medications to give you relief. Anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxers, and pain relievers, whether by prescription or over the counter (OTC), can help alleviate some discomfort.

If you have localized pain in an area that is not being relieved with medication, your healthcare provider may also consider administering a cortisone injection directly into the affected area to help decrease pain and inflammation.

Physical therapy also plays an important role in treatment for WMSDs. A physical therapist will guide you through corrective exercises and stretches, provide hands-on treatment, and administer modalities such as ice, heat, and electrical stimulation to help with your symptoms. If you experience little improvement in your symptoms after several weeks of physical therapy, you will have to return to your healthcare provider to discuss other treatment options. Depending on the severity of your injury and what part is affected, surgery may be an option to repair or clean up a damaged part of the body.

Helpful Work Practices and Tips

Even if an injury is successfully treated, the injury will likely reoccur unless the initial causes, including work tasks and the work environment, are changed.

Prevention is key for managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Tips, if and when possible, to help prevent developing a WMSD consist of:

• Avoid staying in the same position for a long period of time.
• Take breaks from tasks that require continuous and excessive use of strength.
• Break up repetitive movements with other job tasks.
• Maintain a straight back and keep objects close to the body when lifting or carrying.
• Design your workstation to support good ergonomics, including proper height and positioning of desks, counters, chairs, backrests, and computer setups.

Summary

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system that are caused or worsened by physical work demands. Pain and loss of function are the most common symptoms, while muscle tightness, muscle weakness, stiff joints, restricted range of motion, joint instability, numbness, burning, or tingling may also occur.

WMSDs are more likely to occur in certain professions with physically demanding duties that involve extended periods of physical labor, exposure to vibration, compression, or contact stress, prolonged awkward positions or postures, high force, and repetitive movements. Treatment for WMSDs involves rest from aggravating activities, physical therapy, and workplace redesign to prevent repeated overuse injuries.