Identifying early signs and symptoms of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) can lead to a quicker and more prompt recovery. Most of the time, catching these early on results in minimal required medical intervention and the employee will return to work with full function.
Pain is the most common symptom associated with WMSDs. In some cases, there may be joint stiffness, muscle tightness, redness, and swelling of the affected area. Some workers may also experience sensations of “pins and needles,” numbness, skin color changes, and decreased sweating of the hands.
WMSD stages:
- Early stage: Aching and tiredness of the affected limb occur during the work shift but disappear at night and during days off work. No reduction of work performance.
- Intermediate stage: Aching and tiredness occur early in the work shift and persist at night. Reduced capacity for repetitive work.
- Late stage: Aching, fatigue, and weakness persist at rest. Inability to sleep and perform light duties.
While WMSDs typically progresses in stages from mild to severe, not everyone goes through these stages in the same way. In fact, it may be difficult to say exactly when one stage ends and the next begins. The first pain is a signal that the muscles and tendons should rest and recover. Otherwise, an injury can become chronic, and sometimes, irreversible. The earlier people recognize symptoms, the quicker they should respond to them.
Common workplace Injuries:
- Musculoskeletal injuries (over exertion, lifting heavy objects, excessive typing)
- Slip and fall injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
Early intervention can be critical to reducing lost work time and preventing repetitive stress disorders. Discomfort should be reported early to a supervisor to prevent complicated chronic conditions from developing in the first place. Statistics show that early intervention is the number one indicator of fast recovery.
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