Module 5: Work-Related Musculo-Skeletal Disorders - Definitions

DEFINITIONS:

Various definitions are in use:

WHO Definition Of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders:

• Results from a number of factors, where the work environment and the performance of the work contribute significantly, but in varying magnitude, to the causation of the disease.

• Some of the disorders have well defined signs and symptoms (for example rotator cuff tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and acute prolapsed inter-vertebral disc.)

• Many others are less well defined: (for example, myalgic conditions involving pain, discomfort, numbness and tingling sensations throughout the neck shoulders, upper limbs and lower back). These types of disorder, that are sometimes called non-specific WMSDs, often cannot be diagnosed with respect to a clinical pathology but they may still result in physical impairment and disability.

• WMSDs therefore, cover a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the locomotor system. They include:

  • Inflammations / degenerations of tendons (tendinosis, tendinitis and tenosynovitis), especially in the forearm-wrist, elbow and shoulder, evident in occupations involving prolonged periods of repetitive and static work;
  • myalgias, i.e. pain and functional impairments of muscles, occurring predominantly in the shoulder-neck region, that occur in occupations with large static-work demands;
  • compression of nerves - entrapment syndromes - occurring especially in the wrist and forearm;
  • degenerative disorders occurring in the spine, usually in the neck or lower back, especially in those performing manual handling or heavy physical work. However, they may also occur in the hip or knee joints.



• These disorders are chronic, and symptoms usually occur only after exposure to work-related risk factors for a period of time.

Draft amendment of Schedule 3 of COID Act (130 0f 1993) - 7 Nov 2003:

2.3. Occupational musculo-skeletal disorders:

2.3.1 Musculo-skeletal diseases caused by specific work activities or work environment where particular risk factors are present. Examples of such activities or environment include:

(a) rapid or repetitive motion
(b) forceful exertion
(c) excessive mechanical force concentration
(d) awkward or non-neutral postures
(e) vibration

Definition: Work-related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULDs) (CI 180):

WRULDs is a collective term for a group of occupational diseases that consist of musculo-skeletal disorders caused by exposure in the workplace affecting tissues (muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, joints and bursas) of the hand, wrist, arm and shoulder.

Note alternative names that are in use:

• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) - Australia.
• Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) - USA.
• Occupational Cervicobrachial Disorder - Japan and Sweden.
• Work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD) - European Union.