Common work-related musculoskeletal strains and injuries

Abstract

Muscles, tendons, joints and nerves are susceptible to injury when stressed or traumatised repetitively, or over an extended period of time. Regardless of the nature of the work, a large proportion of the working population's time is spent engaged in repetitive movements and maintaining postures for extended periods of time. The reported incidence of work-related back and neck pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome, is between 15–60%,^1–3 indicating that a high proportion of the working population is at risk of developing one or more work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The parts of the body that are most commonly affected are the lower back, neck and shoulder girdle, and upper limbs. Based on current literature, we shall discuss conditions affecting these areas in order to gain a better understanding of the conditions, as well as their prevention.

Keywords:

• workplace
• musculoskeletal injuries
• lower back
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• neck pain