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. Work activities which are frequent and repetitive, or activities with awkward postures cause these disorders which may be painful during work or at rest.
Almost all work requires the use of the arms and hands. Therefore, most WMSD affect the hands, wrists, elbows, neck, and shoulders. Work using the legs can lead to WMSD of the legs, hips, ankles, and feet. Some back problems also result from repetitive activities.
WMSDs are very difficult to define within traditional disease classifications. These disorders have received many names, such as:
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Cumulative trauma disorders
- Occupational cervicobrachial disorders
- Overuse syndrome
- Regional musculoskeletal disorders
- Soft tissue disorders
Most of the names do not accurately describe the disorders. For example, the term “repetitive strain injuries” suggests that repetition causes these disorders, but awkward postures also contribute. These terms are used synonymously, and in the absence of agreement, WMSD is used in this document.