
What is an MSD and how can it be prevented?
The economic and physical costs of MSDs are especially troubling in light of the fact that these disorders are also preventable. The key is to understand what a MSD is and how to prevent them. MSDs are injuries and disorders that affect the body’s movement or musculoskeletal system.
What are the treatment options for MSDs?
Some MSDs can be resolved with primary care including psychological therapies, weight management, exercise, and other Pharmacological therapies. There are specialised units for orthopaedics set up at SIMS, Nungambakkam. Speak to our staff for an appointment today!
Why is it important to identify and treat MSDS?
It is also assessed that it can cost businesses billions, annually. Almost every industry including restaurants, hotels, and more importantly manufacturing, are at risk of MSDs. It is extremely important to identify and treat these disorders early to prevent people from being unable to work and saving them a lot of money outright.
What is the main cause of MSDs?
The primary cause of MSDs is attributed to the exposure of the individual to risk factors where fatigue outruns the body’s recovery system. Patients develop musculoskeletal imbalance and eventually, a disorder develops.

What is the most effective solution for prevention of MSDs?
The most effective way to prevent MSDs is to execute on a smart MSD prevention process that is comprehensive in nature, seeks out and removes all risk factors contributing to MSDs and is integrated deeply into your company's OHS processes.
What is the most common MSD?
Common musculoskeletal disorders include:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.Tendonitis.Muscle / Tendon strain.Ligament Sprain.Tension Neck Syndrome.Thoracic Outlet Compression.Rotator Cuff Tendonitis.Epicondylitis.More items...•
What is the most common musculoskeletal disorder?
Trauma, back pain, and arthritis are the three most common musculoskeletal conditions reported, and for which health care visits to physicians' offices, emergency departments, and hospitals occur each year.
How do you treat musculoskeletal pain?
How is musculoskeletal pain treated?Acupuncture.Chiropractic adjustment.Occupational therapy.Pain relievers.Physical therapy.Splints.Steroid injections.Therapeutic massage.
What is the most common pathology of the musculoskeletal system?
Below are some of the most common muscular pathologies.Tendon Inflammation Can Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. ... Bursitis Describes Inflamed Bursae. ... A Rotator Cuff Tear Affects the Muscles and Tendons Around the Shoulder. ... Repetitive Forearm Strain Can Cause Lateral Epicondylitis.
How common are MSDs?
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are both common and costly. In fact, MSDs are the single largest category of workplace injuries and are responsible for almost 30 percent of all workers' compensation costs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What is musculoskeletal disorders MSDs?
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), sometimes called “ergonomic injuries”, occur when the body uses muscles, tendons, and ligaments to perform tasks, often times in awkward positions or in frequent activities which over time can create pain and injury.
What are the most common test used to diagnose musculoskeletal system disorders?
Musculoskeletal Diagnostic TestsX-ray. This test uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones. ... MRI Scan. ... Nerve Conduction Study- Neural Scan. ... Electromyography (EMG) ... Myelography. ... Before the CT/Myelogram. ... After CT/Myelogram. ... CT Scan.More items...
What are some common diseases of the musculoskeletal system?
Arthritis – As we age, our joint tissues become less resilient to wear and tear and start to degenerate manifesting as swelling, pain, and oftentimes, loss of mobility of joints. Changes occur in both joint soft tissues and the opposing bones, a condition called osteoarthritis.
What is musculoskeletal therapy?
Musculoskeletal therapy is a step above Remedial Massage, therapists are higher trained to utilise advanced soft tissue techniques such as: myofascial release, trigger point release, muscle energy techniques, joint mobilisation, cupping, dry needling, and strapping.
Who treats musculoskeletal pain?
Primary care doctors most often treat musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapists, rheumatologists, osteopaths, orthopedic specialists, and other specialists may also be involved in your care.
What is musculoskeletal management?
Manages both surgical and non-surgical musculoskeletal care, including spine and large joints, as well as physical medicine and place of service.
What are the causes of MSDs?
So the root cause of MSDs is exposure to MSD risk factors – both work-related risk factors and individual-related risk factors.
Why do MSDs develop?
Poor rest and recovery. MSDs develop when fatigue outruns the workers recovery system, causing a musculoskeletal imbalance. Workers who do not get adequate rest and recovery put themselves at higher risk. Poor nutrition, fitness and hydration.
What are the risk factors for MSD?
It’s common sense: high task repetition, forceful exertions and repetitive/sustained awkward postures fatigue the worker’s body beyond their ability to recover , leading to a musculoskeletal imbalance and eventually an MSD.
What happens when you are exposed to MSD?
When a worker is exposed to MSD risk factors, they begin to fatigue. When fatigue outruns their body’s recovery system, they develop a musculoskeletal imbalance. Over time, as fatigue continues to outrun recovery and the musculoskeletal imbalance persists, a musculoskeletal disorder develops.
How much does MSD cost?
The average MSD comes with a direct cost of almost $15,000. ( source: BLS) The economic and human costs of MSDs are unnecessary. Musculoskeletal disorders are preventable. To lay the foundation for an MSD prevention strategy, it’s important to understand what MSDs are and what causes them.
Why is it limiting to use that kind of terminology?
This is limiting because more and more research is pointing to multiple causative risk factors leading to MSDs. MSD PREVENTION 101.
Why do we use the term "musculoskeletal disorder"?
We use the term “musculoskeletal disorder” because it accurately describes the problem. Other common names for MSDs are “ repetitive motion injury ”, “repetitive stress injury”, “overuse injury” and many more. The problem with using that kind of terminology is that it implicates a singular cause for damage to the musculoskeletal system – repetition ...
What are some examples of MSDs?
Examples of MSDs include: Musculoskeletal disorders are associated with high costs to employers such as absenteeism, lost productivity, and increased health care, disability, and worker’s compensation costs.
How many days away from work did MSDs last in 2001?
In 2001, MSDs involved a median of 8 days away from work compared with 6 days for all nonfatal injury and illness cases (e.g., hearing loss, occupational skin diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, or rash) 2. Three age groups (25–34 year olds, 35–44 year olds, and 45–54 year olds) accounted for 79% of cases 2.
What is WMSD in health?
The intervention descriptions for Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) include the public health evidence-base for each intervention, details on designing interventions related to Work-related mus culoskeletal disorders (WMSD), and links to examples and resources. Before implementing any interventions, the evaluation plan should also be ...
What is appropriate management for arthritis?
Appropriate management includes consulting with a doctor and self management education programs to help teach people with arthritis techniques to manage arthritis on a day-to-day basis. Physical activity and weight management programs are also important self-management activities for persons with arthritis.
When medical treatment is necessary, should you send the MSDS?
When medical treatment is necessary, send the MSDS, if it is readily available, to the emergency facility with the victim. If the MSDS is not available, you should send the material's label or a labelled container of the material, if it is small enough.
Why are MSDS written?
Most MSDSs are written to address all reasonably anticipated uses of the material. Because they must address such a wide range of usage situations, the information may not be entirely applicable to your job. A health and safety professional can help you in interpreting the information and assessing its relevance.
What is the MSDS label?
The MSDS and label may also display other identification , such as a product code or catalog number. 2. Hazards Identification. The Hazards Identification section describes the ways you may be exposed to the material and the harmful health effects it can have.
What is the term for the development of an allergic reaction to a chemical?
Sensitization is the development, over time, of an allergic reaction to a chemical. Sensitizers may cause a mild response on the first few exposures but, as the sensitivity develops, the response becomes worse with subsequent exposures. Eventually, even short exposures to low concentrations can cause a very severe reaction.
How to find the correct MSDS?
To locate the correct MSDS, always use the product identifier, not a shortened name that may be used at your workplace. Check that the name of the manufacturer and/or supplier matches the label as well. The MSDS and label may also display other identification, such as a product code or catalog number. 2.
What is a MSDS?
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides basic information on a material or chemical product. A MSDS describes the properties and potential hazards of the material, how to use it safely, and what to do in an emergency. The purpose of this document is to assist Canadian employees in understanding and interpreting this type of information.
What are the possible routes of exposure?
The possible routes of exposure are skin contact, eye contact, inhalation (respiratory system), and ingestion (swallowing). How important each route of entry is for a particular material depends on many factors, such as the physical properties of the material and how it is used.
What are the primary individual risk factors for MSDs?
The primary individual risk factors are: Poor work practices: Workplace athletes who use poor work practices, body mechanics and lifting techniques are introducing unnecessary risk factors that can contribute to MSDs.
What are the risk factors for MSD?
Joints of the body are most efficient when they operate closest to the mid-range motion of the joint. Risk of MSD is increased when joints are worked outside of this mid-range repetitively or for sustained periods of time without adequate recovery time. Other ergonomic risk factors include: Vibration. Contact stress.
How to prevent something?
The only way to prevent something is to know what caused it, understand what caused it and then systematically eliminate those causes. This is a foundational lesson because it is so vitally important that you understand what causes MSDs. This is where we see safety leaders get mixed up, and then spend precious resources trying to fix ...
How to regulate mood?
Eating well and getting enough (but not too much) sleep also helps boost and regulate your mood. There are many factors that make your MDD unique, including: Severity. Frequency of depressive episodes. Genetics. These play a role in which major depressive disorder treatment is right for you.
What is ECT treatment?
It treats severe and persistent depression, especially when you also experience psychosis, suicidal ideations, or refusal to eat.
Can you treat MDD with more than one treatment?
Everyone’s experience with MDD is different, so the treatment that works for someone else might not work for you. You may need to try more than one major depressive disorder treatment before you find the one that’s right for you. Below are a few of the most popular and proven methods of treating clinical depression.
What is WMSD in medical terms?
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and tension neck syndrome are examples. For the purpose of developing injury prevention strategies, many health and safety agencies include only disorders ...
What is WMSD in the body?
Force concentrated on small parts of the body, such as the hand or wrist. A pace of work that does not allow sufficient recovery between movements. Generally, none of these factors acts separately to cause WMSD. WMSDs commonly occur as a result of a combination and interaction among them.
Why is stretching good for WMSD?
Stretching is beneficial because it promotes circulation and reduces muscle tension. However, people suffering from WMSDs should consult a physical therapist before exercising. Stretching or exercise programs can aggravate the existing condition if not properly designed.
Is a traumatic injury a WMSD?
The traumatic injuries of the muscles, tendons and nerves due to accidents are not considered to be WMSDs or are considered separately. However, there are organizations, such as the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, that include acute traumas and fractures within in the WMSD group.
PREVALENCE AMONG ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
The high prevalence of MSDs among oral health professionals—including dental hygienists, dentists, dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians, and dental/dental hygiene students—is well documented in the literature.
OCCUPATIONAL RISK FACTORS
Occupational risk factors for oral health professionals are associated with both biomechanical and psychosocial stressors (Table 1).
INTERVENTIONS
Potential interventions for decreasing occupational MSD risk factors include loupes, equipment selections, and reducing psychosocial stressors with frequent breaks and exercise (Table 2).
CONCLUSION
Musculoskeletal disorders are a health burden for oral health professionals that can lead to shortened career longevity, need for medical attention, and lack of job satisfaction.
REFERENCES
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Ergonomics. Available at: osha.g/v/SLTC/ergonomics Accessed December 9, 2020.

Definition of Musculoskeletal Disorder
The Cause of Musculoskeletal Disorders – Exposure to Risk Factors
- When a worker is exposed to MSD risk factors, they begin to fatigue. When fatigue outruns their body’s recovery system, they develop a musculoskeletal imbalance. Over time, as fatigue continues to outrun recovery and the musculoskeletal imbalance persists, a musculoskeletal disorder develops. These risk factors can be broken up into two categories: work-related (ergon…
Work-Related Risk Factors
- Workplace design plays a crucial role in the development of an MSD. When a worker is asked to do work that is outside his body’s capabilities and limitations, he is being asked to put his musculoskeletal system at risk. In these situations, an objective evaluationof the workstation design tells us the worker’s recovery system will not be able to keep up with the fatigue that will …
Individual-Related Risk Factors
- Human beings are multi-dimensional. Limiting ourselves to a singular cause of MSDs will limit our ability to create a prevention strategy that addresses the multi-dimensional worker. We need to address both workplace risk factors andindividual risk factors. Individual risk factors include: 1. Poor work practices. Workers who use poor work practices, body mechanics and lifting techniqu…