Musculoskeletal Disorders Topic Homepage
Musculoskeletal Disorders Overview
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.
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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 InfectionCarolyn 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
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Phase III trial shows Ilaris (Novartis) allows discontinuation of corticosterioids in sJIA
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Musculoskeletal Disorders Drug Data - A-Z
Possible searches include drugs or medicines (by brand, generic ingredient or drug class), diseases, conditions and more.
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Recent Drug Updates
Copaxone 20mg/ml, Solution For Injection, Pre-Filled Syringe
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Zanaflex 2 and 4mg tablets
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Edrophonium Injection BP 10mg/1ml.
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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 2012This 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 2011The 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.
Online CME
Huntington's Disease
Apr 2013
... the possible symptoms and the management of these symptoms.
The Basics - Trochanteric Bursitis
Apr 2013
... for trochanteric bursitis in primary care.
Clinical Trials
Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Sirukumab in Participants With RA Completing Studies CNTO136ARA3002 or CNTO136ARA3003 (SIRROUND-LTE)
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A Double-Blind Study Evaluating IPI-145 in Subjects With Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate Alone (ASPIRA)
08-05-2013The 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
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
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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..
Medical Apps
3D Skeletal Anatomy - £0.69
Back Pain Diagnosis - £0.60
Musculoskeletal imaging of painful disorders - £54.99
The muscular system manual - Free
Social Media
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