MSD Signs & Symptoms

Musculoskeletal disorders are soft tissue injuries that affect the muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, joints and/or blood vessels. MSDs are typically caused by or made worse with repeated exertions, awkward positions and / or forceful movements.

MSD Injuries

  • Often occur in the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists or hands
  • Are commonly caused by wear and tear on a tissue instead of one “incident”
  • Typically have a gradual onset and worsening of symptoms over time
  • Develop over a period of weeks, months or even years
  • Are typically the result of many different factors

Signs and Symptoms

  • Sign... can be physically observed, felt or heard
    • redness, swelling, creptitus, reduced range of motion, loss of strength
  • Symptom...cannot be seen but can be felt by the individual
    • pain, discomfort, aching, numbness, tingling, burning, stiffness, fatigue

Stages of MSD Development

MSD Stages

Home affects work and work affects home

Whether at home or work, your body can’t distinguish between similar movements. The bucket model illustrates that activity, whether at work or home, falls into the same container.  Increasing the amount of activity at either location will increase the bucket’s contents.  If you don’t provide enough time for recovery, you may start to experience discomfort.  If the activity level continues without sufficient rest, pain and then injury may occur.

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