White Paper
Preventing & Managing Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Comprehensive Approach to Workplace Injuries
White Paper Summary
The Impact and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, bones and joints, typically developing gradually due to repetitive strain and overuse rather than from a single traumatic event. Despite being largely preventable, these injuries continue to be a common and costly occurrence in workplaces across industries.
“The most striking aspect of musculoskeletal disorders is that they are largely preventable,” said Michelle Despres, PT, CEAS II, REAS, CETS, vice president, product management, national clinical leader at One Call. “It seems contradictory that we have such a high frequency and expense associated with these disorders, yet there is so much that can be done to prevent them.”
According to One Call’s data, the most common MSDs vary by age group. For workers over 45, shoulder disorders, including rotator cuff pathology, are most prevalent. For those under 45, low back disorders top the list. Overall, 54% of One Call’s physical therapy referrals and 63% of diagnostic referrals are for musculoskeletal disorders.
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