Epidemiology of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders are common in the United States. Although precise estimates are not available, most researchers agree that exposure to a combination of work place risk factors is a major contributor to these disorders. Along with personal factors (age, gender, etc.). Epidemiologic studies of workers have associated these disorders with many work-place physical and psychosocial factors. Specific physical factors associated with these disorders include intense, repeated, or sustained exertions, awkward, sustained, or extreme postures of the body, insufficient recovery time, vibration, and cold temperatures. Specific examples of work-place psychosocial factors include monotonous work, time pressure, high work load, lack of peer support, and a poor supervisor-employee relationship.