Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Encyclopedia
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD's) are disorders of the muscles, skeleton and related tissues which have been empirically shown or are suspected to have been caused by a workplace activity (particularly a repetitive activity), for this reason the term Repetitive strain injury
is sometimes used (often incorrectly) to describe WMSD's, although not all WMSD's need necessarily be caused by repetitive strain of structures of the musculoskeletal system
some of them are closely associated with this aetiology, especially the well documented disorder Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
.
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD's) differ from Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULD's) in that they can occur anywhere in the musculoskeletal system (e.g. Housemaids Knee). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a WRULD and a WMSD as it occurs in the upper limb, at the wrist, as is tennis elbow
which occurs at the lateral epicondyle of the elbow.
The study of WMSD's is a branch of ergonomics
.
Repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury is an injury of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by...
is sometimes used (often incorrectly) to describe WMSD's, although not all WMSD's need necessarily be caused by repetitive strain of structures of the musculoskeletal system
Musculoskeletal system
A musculoskeletal system is an organ system that gives animals the ability to move using the muscular and skeletal systems...
some of them are closely associated with this aetiology, especially the well documented disorder Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an entrapment idiopathic median neuropathy, causing paresthesia, pain, and other symptoms in the distribution of the median nerve due to its compression at the wrist in the carpal tunnel. The pathophysiology is not completely understood but can be considered compression...
.
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD's) differ from Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULD's) in that they can occur anywhere in the musculoskeletal system (e.g. Housemaids Knee). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a WRULD and a WMSD as it occurs in the upper limb, at the wrist, as is tennis elbow
Tennis elbow
Lateral epicondylitis or lateral epicondylalgia, also known as tennis elbow, shooter's elbow and archer's elbow, is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender...
which occurs at the lateral epicondyle of the elbow.
The study of WMSD's is a branch of ergonomics
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows:...
.