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
Study of Prolia (Amgen/GSK) plus teriparatide shows significant benefits in Osteoporosis
19-05-2013A randomised, controlled trial of postmenopausal women with Osteoporosis shows that teriparatide and Prolia (denosumab), from Amgen/GSK, increased bone mineral densification (BMD) better than previously reported with any available treatment. Ninety four postmenopausal women were assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive 20 ug teriparatide daily, 60 mg denosumab every 6 months, or both. BMD was...
FDA approves Ilaris (Novartis) for treatment of Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
11-05-2013
Novartis announced that the FDA has on 10 May 2013 approved Ilaris (canakinumab) for the treatment of active Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) in patients aged 2 years and older. Ilaris is the first interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) inhibitor approved for SJIA and the only treatment approved specifically for SJIA that is given as a once-monthly subcutaneous injection.
SJIA...
PALACE 4 study confirms success of apremilast (Celgene) in treatment of Psoriaric Arthritis
08-05-2013
Celgene International Sàrl,has announced that statistical significance was achieved for the primary endpoint of ACR 20 at week 16 for patients receiving apremilast 20 mg and 30 mg BID monotherapy in PALACE 4 study. PALACE 4 is the fourth randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating the Company’s novel, oral small-molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) in patients with Psoriatic...
Musculoskeletal Disorders Drug Data - A-Z
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Recent Drug Updates
Copaxone 20mg/ml, Solution For Injection, Pre-Filled Syringe
20-03-2013Deltastab 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
19-12-2012Zanaflex 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.
18-12-2012Myasthenia gravis, as a diagnostic test; to distinguish between overdosage and underdosage of cholinergic drugs in myasthenic patients; diagnosis of suspected 'dual block'; antagonist to...
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
A Retrospective Observational Study on the Use of Biologics in Monotherapy in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
11-04-2013This retrospective, observational, multi-center study will evaluate the use of biological agents (e.g. RoActemra/Actemra [tocilizumab]) in monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Data from medical record files will be collected of patients currently treated with a biologic in monotherapy.
A Phase 2/3 Open-label Extension Study to Evaluate Long-Term Safety and Efficacy With VX-509 in Subjects With Rheumatoid Arthritis
10-04-2013This study is designed to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of VX-509 in subjects with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on DMARD therapy. This study will enroll subjects who completed a previous designated study with VX-509 (e.g., Study VX12-509-103).
Medical Videos
Medical Journal Abstracts
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..
Large duplication in MTM1 associated with myotubular myopathy
Neuromuscular Disorders
Jan 2013
Myotubular myopathy is a subtype of centronuclear myopathy with X-linked inheritance and distinctive clinical and pathologic features. Most boys with myotubular myopathy have MTM1 mutations. In remaining individuals, it is not clear if disease is due to an undetected alteration in MTM1 or mutation of another gene. We..
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
High temperature and urinary tract pain
on doc2docHigh temperature and urinary tract pain Please do not be in a hurry to start the antibiotics. A simple urine examination might have shown you that it ...
High temperature and urinary tract pain
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on doc2docHigh temperature and urinary tract pain Symptoms:High heat - a burning sensation in the urine The medicine used:TARIVID TABAMIKIN VIAL 1/5 GMDo ...
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