Facts About Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the leading types of work-related injury. The term "musculoskeletal disorder" refers to any condition or injury that affects the muscles, nerves, joints, ligaments, tendons and bones. I guess you could say it's a catch-all term used to describe a wide variety of physical conditions. In today's blog post we're going to take a closer look at MSDs, revealing some surprising facts and statistics.

#1 Cause for Worker Disability

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), MSDs are responsible for more lost work days than any other injury or illness. The BLS estimates that more than a third (34%) of all lost instances in which employees call out to work are attributed to MSDs. This is far more than the cold, flu and other illnesses.

MSDs and Back Pain

Do you suffer from lower back pain? If so, you aren't alone. Millions of Americans experience debilitating back pain on a regular basis. While back pain can be caused by a number of different conditions, MSD often tops the list. Whether it's a herniated/slipped disc or simply wear and tear of the vertebrae, back pain is often triggered by MSDs. This is why it's important for workers to remain cautious of their posture at all times.

MSDs Can Be Prevented

Yes, MSDs can take a toll on workers and their ability to perform a task, but the good news is that such conditions are often preventable. For instance, back pain caused by improper lifting is easily prevented by following the basic "lift with your legs, not your back," adage. Workers who constantly bend over to lift boxes and other heavy objects will have a greater risk of developing MSDs when compared to workers who lift by bending their legs.

Diseases May Increase Your Risk of MSDs

Medical experts believe that certain underlying diseases may increase the risk of MSDs and/or worsen existing MSDs. This includes fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and gout. If you suffer from any of these diseases, speak with your doctor for more information on how to mitigate your risk.

Certain Diseases May Promote MSDs

Certain types of diseases can either create musculoskeletal disorders or make current MSDs worse. Fibromyalgia, gout, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and various other types of arthritis are known to worsen MSDs.

MSDs May Occur Anywhere

It's a common assumption that MSDs can only occur in the neck or back. While these are two of the most common locations within the body for MSDs, the fact is that they can occur anywhere. So don't assume you are safe from MSDs just because your back and neck are fine.