Types of MSD
Below you will find examples of common MSD that can be found in the workplace. This is not an exhaustive list of all possible MSD.
Click on each category (tendon/ligament, muscle, blood vessel, nerve, bone/cartilage) to view the list of MSD. Select each disorder for more information.
Tendon/Ligament
Golfer's Elbow
Golfer’s elbow is also known as medial epicondylitis. Medial epicondylitis is the inflammation of the inner side of the elbow (or the forearm flexors). It develops where the forearm muscles connect to the bony part on the inside of the elbow.
Symptoms include pain on the inside of your elbow, stiffness and difficulties moving the elbow, weakness, hand, and wrist pain when gripping.
Work-related factors associated with its development include forceful activities, high force combined with high repetition or awkward posture, and repetitive elbow flexion.
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Rotator cuff tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendons in the small shoulder stabilizing muscles.
Symptoms include pain and swelling in the front of your shoulder and side of your arm, pain triggered by raising or lowering your arm, a clicking sound when raising your arm, stiffness, pain that causes you to wake from sleep, pain when reaching behind your back, a loss of mobility and strength in the affected arm.
Work-related factors associated with its development include work with arms above the shoulder level or repeated arm abduction.
Supraspinatus Tendinitis
Supraspinous tendinitis is the inflammation of the supraspinatus muscle and tendon. This small muscle wraps around the top of the shoulder joint.
Symptoms include progressive aching of the shoulder muscles, which tends to worsen with overhead posture of the arms. There may be radiation of pain to the lateral portion of the arm. Other symptoms may be difficulties with activities of daily living like dressing.
Work-related factors associated with its development include repetitive activities involving raising the arms from the sides or working overhead.
Tennis Elbow
This disorder is also known as Lateral Epicondylitis.
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is the inflammation of the tendon where the extensor forearm muscles connect to the bony part of the outside of the elbow. It is the most common overuse syndrome of the elbow.
Common symptoms include pain or burning on the outer part of your elbow when making a fist, gripping, or trying to bend the wrist back.
Work-related factors associated with its development include forceful activities, high force combined with high repetition or awkward posture, and repetitive elbow flexion.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger is a condition where there is a thickening of the flexor tendon where it passes along the palm side of the fingers.
Symptoms of trigger finger include pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking or catching when you bend and straighten your finger.
Work-related factors associated with its development include forceful use of the fingers and thumb, especially with local pressure on the palm side of the fingers.
Bicipital Tendinitis
Biceps tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendon of one part of the biceps muscle as it passes over the front of the shoulder joint.
Symptoms of biceps tendinitis are pain or tenderness in the front of the shoulder, which worsens with overhead lifting or activity.
Work-related factors associated with its development include overhead work.
De Quervain's Syndrome or Tendinitis
De Quervain’s Syndrome or tendinitis is a condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist.
Symptoms include pain when you turn your wrist, grasp anything, or make a fist.
Work-related factors associated with its development include using scissors, repeated or sustained wrist posture, and repeated movements associated with the twisting or driving of screws.
Dupuytren's Contracture
Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition due to the thickening and shrinking of tissues in the palm of the hand. It can worsen over time until the fingers can no longer be straightened.
Symptoms include one or more fingers becoming bent in a flexed position.
Work-related factors associated with its development include long exposure to repetitive handwork.
Muscle
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is an overall term for disorders or injuries to the bone, cartilage, ligaments, discs, nerves, and muscles around the spine in the low back area. If a cause cannot be identified, it may be called non-specific low back pain.
Symptoms include: dull or sharp aches and pains, muscle spasms and tightness, pain on movement, or after prolonged sitting or standing, difficulty standing up straight, walking, or standing up, pain in the thigh, lower legs, or feet can be present (sciatica).
Work-related factors associated with its development include lifting or sitting with the spine flexed and/or twisted, repetitive lifting sitting or standing on vibrating platforms or vehicles (whole body vibration).
Tension Neck Syndrome
Tension neck syndrome includes a variety of disorders that involve the neck and shoulder areas.
Symptoms include aching at where the neck and shoulders connect; the pain can be a dull aching pain or severe at times.
Work-related factors associated with its development include work in awkward postures for prolonged periods as well as repetitive movements involving the hands and arms and time spent using a computer mouse. Mental stress can add to the likelihood of developing this disorder.
Blood Vessel
Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome
Hypothenar hammer syndrome is a condition of the hand in which the blood flow to the fingers is reduced.
Symptoms of hypothenar hammer syndrome are a pain in the finger side of the palm and ring finger, pins and needles (paraesthesia), loss of sensation, and difficulty holding objects in the affected hand. The fingers may become sensitive to cold.
Work-related factors associated with its development include the use of the little finger side of the palm as a hammer or to grind or push objects. Use of vibrating tools can also increase the risk.
Nerve
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome or HAVS is the result of damage in the fingers, hands, and arms from vibration. The vibration may create neurological or , vascular types of , or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
Symptoms include bluish colour of the fingers, fingertips become blanched (white) after cold or damp exposure (known as Raynaud’s phenomenon), numbness, pain, reduced sense of touch, and grip strength can be decreased.
Work-related factors associated with its development include handling vibrating tools and equipment.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when blood vessels and nerves in the space between the collarbone and the first rib (thoracic outlet) are compressed.
Symptoms of neurological thoracic outlet syndrome include numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers, pain or aches in the neck, shoulder, or hand. In more severe cases, weakening grip or muscle wasting in the fleshy base of your thumb.
Work-related factors possibly associated with its development include working at shoulder level, forward reaching, and reaching backwards.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where one of the major nerves of the hand (median nerve) is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist. This condition can be caused by the inflammation of the tendons in the wrist that result in the compression (or squeezing) of the median nerve.
Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, burning, and pain – primarily in the thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers. In later stages, weakness and clumsiness in the hand may be present.
Work-related factors associated with its development include high peak hand force, forceful repetition combined with extension of the wrist, rate and percentage of time spent in forceful hand exertions. For example, repetitive typing tasks completed with the wrist extended for long periods.
Bone/Cartilage
Pre-Patellar Bursitis
Pre-patellar bursitis is swelling and inflammation of the bursa at the front of the knee or over the knee cap (housemaids knee). A bursa is a fluid filled sack that helps the movement of the tendons around joints.
Symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness.
Work-related factors associated with its development include kneeling on hard surfaces.
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