Types of Musculoskeletal Injuries

Musculoskeletal injuries are some of the most common injuries. Since many occupations require regular repetitive movements, there is a high probability of you incurring a work-related musculoskeletal injury.

These injuries do not only occur in the workplace but also among athletes. Rigorous training, repetitive movements, and intense competition increase the chances of athletes' career-ending injuries. Age is also a factor in developing musculoskeletal injuries.

Musculoskeletal pains affect the joints, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, or other connective tissue. The pain affects one’s ability to perform work and participate in their respective social duties. Musculoskeletal injuries come with different symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms associated with musculoskeletal injuries are pain, swelling, inflammation, limited flexibility, reduced or complete loss of function, and the inability to put weight on the injured area.

Here are some of the most common musculoskeletal injuries among working professionals, athletes and people living sedentary lifestyles.

 

Muscle strains

A strain is a twist, pull or tear of a muscle or tendon, a code of tissues connecting muscles to bone.

Muscle strains are common in various occupations and sports that involve lifting and moving heavy weights. The pains are most common in the lower back. Muscle strains can happen due to improper lifting of heavy objects, lifting too much weight at once and repetitive movements.

 

Joint Dislocation

When the two bones that come together to form a joint get separated, the joint is described as dislocated. Contact sports such as football and basketball or other high-impact sports involving significant stretching or falling can dislocate.

A dislocated joint requires immediate medical attention, while the bones can sometimes move back into place independently. A dislocation is a painful injury, and its most common in the shoulders, elbows, fingers, kneecap and femur-tibia.

 

Tendinitis

Tendinitis refers to the inflammation of the tendons, a flexible band of fibrous tissues connecting muscles to bones. Mostly it affects the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle.

A sudden injury causes tendinitis; it usually results repeatedly from carrying the same motion. People such as musicians and some athletes such as golfers and tennis players stand a higher risk of tendinitis.

Tendons become less flexible as you grow old, making you more prone to tendinitis.

 

Rotator cuff tear

Located near the shoulder is your rotator cuff. It allows for the rotation of the arm and any movement related to the shoulder. Many assume that the rotator cuff injuries are common in sports only, but the reality is that these injuries are common in other settings too.

For example, if you spend a long time with your arm in one position or have a bad posture, you will likely suffer a rotator cuff injury.

 

Sources:

1. https://www.workpartnersmd.com/most-common-musculoskeletal-injuries/

2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14526-musculoskeletal-pain

3. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries

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