Work-related
musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities are quite common and
occur in nearly all types of work situations. Each year direct Workers'
Compensation costs due to these types of injuries are over $2 billion,
plus an additional $90 million in indirect costs.
The highest rate of disorder
was found in industry workers whose jobs required them to repeat the same
type of forceful motion throughout their work shift, such as food processors,
automobile and electronics assemblers, carpenters, office data entry workers,
cashiers, and garment workers.
Most often, disorders affect
the soft tissues of the neck, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, and fingers.
The disorders can develop gradually, resulting from repeated actions and
the twisting and bending of the hand, wrist and arms combined with force.
To better understand the
activities which significantly contribute to work-related injuries, the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a division
of the Center for Disease Control, reviewed over 40 epidemiologic studies,
and formulated a correlation between posture, repetition, force, and vibration,
and work-related injuries in the upper extremities and lower back.
The NIOSH study determined
posture, repetition and force were each significant risk factors in developing
a work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Vibration was also a significant
risk factor in developing conditions in the hand and wrist. However, in
most instances, it was a combination of risk factors that proved to have
the most impact.
Common injuries associated
with the neck and shoulder area include:
-
Tension-Neck Syndrome
-
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
-
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
-
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
