Musculoskeletal Disorders Topic Homepage

Musculoskeletal Disorders Overview

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Pain, discomfort and loss of function in the back, neck and extremities are common among working people. These ailments are commonly termed musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).1

MSDs  include a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves, and supporting blood vessels.2 These include clinical syndromes such as tendon inflammations...

... and related conditions (tenosynovitis, epicondylitis, bursitis), nerve compression disorders (carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica), and osteoarthrosis, as well as less well standardised conditions such as myalgia, lower back pain and other regional pain syndromes not attributable to known pathology.2 Body regions most commonly involved are; the lower back, neck, shoulder, forearm, and hand, although recently the lower extremity has received more attention.2

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common work-related health problem in Europe, affecting millions of workers.1 According to a European survey carried out across 31 countries in 2005; up to 25% of them reported back pain and 23% muscular pain in arms and legs. The proportion of workers exposed to repetitive movements has increased since 2000, reaching 62.3% in 2005.1

Despite a significant decrease of MSDs in some Member States, these disorders remain the leading work-related diseases in Europe.1 They are therefore now a priority for the prevention of occupational hazards.1 However, the multifactorial origin (biomechanical, organisational and psychosocial) of MSDs makes it is difficult to implement effective prevention measures in enterprises.1

1. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: prevention report. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. 2008 : 106 pages.
2. Laura Punnett L. et al. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: the epidemiologic evidence and the debate. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. February 2004 ; 14 (1) : 13-23.

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft Tissue Sarcomas (STS) are malignant (cancerous) tumors that develop in tissues which connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body. Muscles, tendons (bands of fiber that connect muscles to bones), fibrous tissues, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and synovial tissues are types of soft tissue.

Soft tissue sarcomas are grouped together because they share certain microscopic characteristics, have similar symptoms, and are generally treated in similar ways.1 They are usually named for the type of tissue in which they begin.

Every year approximately 13,000 new cases of soft tissue sarcomas are diagnosed in adults and children in Europe. The 5-year survival rate for patients with soft tissue sarcoma is around 90% if the cancer is detected in early phases and before it has spread. However, the 5-year survival rate is 10% to 15% for sarcomas with metastasis.

Management of STS depends on the stage of disease and histological subtype.2 Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for patients with localised disease and is often curative. However, as recurrence is likely to occur when tumour cells remain after surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy is often also considered, especially for patients with intermediate or high-grade tumours. Radiotherapy is also often administered for patients in whom surgery is inappropriate or who decline surgery.2

There are a number of Associations and Organisations across Europe who strive to inform others of this disease as well as offer help and support to those affected or to those who know and want to help those suffering.

Enter the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Knowledge Centre


References

1. Cormier JN, Pollock RE. Soft tissue sarcomas. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 2004; 54(2):94–109.
2. Clark MA, Fisher C et al. (2005) “Soft-tissue sarcomas in adults.” N Engl JMed 353(7): 701–11.

Clinical Case Studies

Prosthetic Joint Infection

Infection: Bone and Joint Infection

Carolyn Hemsley, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, St.Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Case History
A 74-year-old lady presented to the orthopaedic surgeon with worsening pain and stiffness in her left hip.

Vertebral Osteomyelitis

Infection: Bone and Joint Infection

,

Ann Chapman, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK

Case History
A 67-year-old man presented with a two-month history of lower back pain. He had a past history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and recurrent urinary tract infections.

Drug News

VANTAGE study shows Vercise DBS (Boston Scientific) demonstrates motor function benefits in Parkinson's Disease

19-06-2013

Patients with Parkinson's disease using the Boston Scientific Corporation Vercise DBS (deep brain stimulation) System showed a significant improvement in motor scores according to interim data from...

Phase III trial shows Ilaris (Novartis) allows discontinuation of corticosterioids in sJIA

19-06-2013

In a Phase III clinical trial of Ilaris (canakinumab), from Novartis, patients (2-19 years of age) with active systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) received subcutaneous injections (4mg/kg...

TRANSFORMS study of Gilenya (Novartis) shows sustained improvements in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

16-06-2013

Two new analyses from the pivotal Phase III TRANSFORMS study of Gilenya (fingolimod), from Novartis, show early and sustained improvements in disease activity in patients with relapsing remitting...

Musculoskeletal Disorders Drug Data - A-Z

Possible searches include drugs or medicines (by brand, generic ingredient or drug class), diseases, conditions and more.

Drug Lang:

Recent Drug Updates

Copaxone 20mg/ml, Solution For Injection, Pre-Filled Syringe

20-03-2013

Deltastab Injection is indicated for the local treatment, by intra-articular or periarticular injection, of the following conditions: rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; synovitis not associated...

Zanaflex 2 and 4mg tablets

19-12-2012

Zanaflex is indicated in adults for the treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or with spinal cord injury or disease....

Edrophonium Injection BP 10mg/1ml.

18-12-2012

Myasthenia gravis, as a diagnostic test; to distinguish between overdosage and underdosage of cholinergic drugs in myasthenic patients; diagnosis of suspected 'dual block'; antagonist to...

Medical Images

Osteomyelitis - X-ray
Osteomyelitis - X-ray
MRI showing vertebral osteomyelitis
MRI showing vertebral osteomyelitis

Clinical Guidelines

Spasticity in children and young people with non-progressive brain disorders: Management of spasticity and co-existing motor disorders and their early musculoskeletal complications

Jul 2012

This guideline covers the management of spasticity and co-existing motor disorders and their early..

... musculoskeletal complications in children and young people (from birth up to their 19th birthday) with non-progressive brain disorders. Cerebral palsy is the most common condition associated with spasticity in children and young people. The incidence of cerebral palsy is not known, but its prevalence in the UK is 186 per 100,000 population, with a total of 110,000 people affected. The guideline covers the management of spasticity associated with cerebral palsy, but not all aspects of the management of cerebral palsy.

Use of anti - interferon beta antibody measurements in multiple sclerosis

Jan 2011

The objectives of our task force were to: (i) evaluate differences in immunogenicity of IFN β..

... products; (ii) evaluate the reliability and give recommendations on BABs and NABs assays; (iii) evaluate the impact of NABs on clinical effi cacy and give recommendations on the clinical use of measurement of IFN β antibodies; and (iv) review the evidence on prevention of NAB development and the management of patients with NABs.

Clinical Trials

Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Sirukumab in Participants With RA Completing Studies CNTO136ARA3002 or CNTO136ARA3003 (SIRROUND-LTE)

15-05-2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of CNTO 136 (sirukumab) in participants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are unresponsive to treatment with modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or anti-TNF alpha agents.

A Double-Blind Study Evaluating IPI-145 in Subjects With Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate Alone (ASPIRA)

08-05-2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of multiple dose levels of the investigational product (study drug), IPI-145, in combination with methotrexate compared to methotrexate alone in subjects with active moderate-to-severe Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Medical Videos

What Causes Osteoarthritis? An Informative Animation
What Causes Osteoarthritis? An Informative Animation
Calcific Tendonitis
Calcific Tendonitis

Medical Journal Abstracts

Changes in cardiac index and blood pressure on positioning children prone for scoliosis surgery

Anaesthesia
May 2013

In this prospective observational study we investigated the changes in cardiac index and mean arterial pressure in children when positioned prone for scoliosis correction surgery. Thirty children (ASA 1–2, aged 13–18 years) undergoing primary, idiopathic scoliosis repair were recruited. The cardiac index and mean..

The Rasch-built Pompe-specific Activity (R-PAct) scale

Neuromuscular Disorders
Jan 2013

We constructed a patient-based interval scale using Rasch analysis, specifically suited to quantify the effects of Pompe disease on patient’s ability to carry out daily life activities and their social participation: Rasch-built Pompe-specific Activity scale. Between July 2005 and April 2011, 186 patients aged 16 or..

Social Media

High temperature and urinary tract pain

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High temperature and urinary tract pain

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