Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), refer to health conditions that affect joints, bones, muscles, nerves, and other locomotors in the body. MSDs are mainly associated with old age. The disorders can also affect people whose work involves a lot of straining and muscle stress.

Get an early diagnosis prevents the severity of these disorders at a later stage. They can be treated and managed if diagnosed in good time. Before one can be placed on treatment, they first have to get physically examined by a professional physician. Reflexes are tested to assess the level of damage in the nerves. If the reflexes portrayed are unusual, it is translated to mean that the nerves are damaged.

Other tests include MRI scans and X-rays. This is done to assess the musculoskeletal disorders of the body’s soft tissues and bones. Blood tests may also be requested for further examination.

 

Examples of musculoskeletal disorders

• Tendinitis- Caused by tendon inflammation. It causes pain when one moves around. The tendons also get inflamed as a result of this disorder.
• Gout- Characterized by swelling of joints. It also causes them to become tender, red, and painful. The big toe becomes the most affected part of the body. It exhibits most of these symptoms.
• Rheumatoid arthritis- This musculoskeletal disorder causes the swelling of body joints especially the feet and hands. It comes as a result of the body's self-attack in its internal organs.
• Traumatic fractures- Refers to broken bones in the body. Any bone can fracture under unbearable stress and pressure. Most of these fractures take place during a car accident or when the bones are pressed under objects that are too heavy.

What causes musculoskeletal disorders?

1. Sprains

Sprains are a common cause of MSDs. They lead to muscle-junctions injuries. Sprains occur as a result of excessive force and pressure on the muscles. The muscles' myofibers become overstrained, leading to their rupture.

Risk factors for sprains are anatomic variations, too much exercise, sports such as ballgames and athletics among others.

Telemedicine has played a major role in sprains treatment, as physicians can interact with patients through telecommunications.

 

1. Poor posture

Sitting or sleeping in the wrong postures can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Back pains, stiff necks, and swollen feet are among the repercussions of poor body postures.

 

1. Joint dislocation

Dislocation means that two bones that had joined together to form a joint have separated. Dislocated joints lead to pain and limited motion for the body parts harboring the separated joints.

The treatment of this cause of MSDs involves visiting a physician for the realignment of the joints. Telemedicine may be effective during post-reduction therapy. One can get instructions from a qualified physician online.

 

1. Overuse injuries

Shin splints, Iliotibial band syndrome, runner's knee, and plantar fasciitis are the most common types of overuse injuries

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the foot's fibrous tissue gets inflamed. It is a common MSDs in athletes, same as the rest of overuse injuries types.

 

Sources

1.   www.healthline.com/health/musculoskeletal-disorders#diagnosis

2.   https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14526-musculoskeletal-   pain#:~:text=It%20is%20most%20often%20caused,overuse%20affects%2033%25%20of%20adults.

3.   https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-us/578

4.    https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/bursa-muscle-and-tendon-disorders/tendinitis-and-tenosynovitis#:~:text=Tendinitis%20is%20inflammation%20of%20a,motion%20and%20tenderness%20with%20palpation.

5.   https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/musculoskeletal-conditions

6.   https://www.healthline.com/health/musculoskeletal-disorders#diagnosis

7.   https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/health-strategies/musculoskeletal-disorders/index.html#:~:text=Musculoskeletal%20disorders%20(MSD)%20are%20injuries,to%20the%20condition%3B%20and%2For

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