Pathfit 2

Risk Factors & Reporting
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are injuries of to the body's musculoskeletal system. This
includes but is not limited to tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and discs. According to the
CDC, work-related MSD's are commonly caused by bodily reaction, overexertion, or repetitive
motion.
Examples include bending, lifting, reaching, twisting, pushing, and pulling.
Common MSD's include but are not limited to:

o Tendonitis
o Tenosynovitis
o Epicondylitis (Tennis/Golfers' Elbow)
o Bursitis
o Carpal/Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
o Trigger Finger
o Ruptured or Herniated Disc
o Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Injury Risk Factors (Root Causes of MSD's)

Risk factors are conditions of a job that contribute to the risk of developing an MSD. Exposure
does not guarantee injury but increases the likelihood.
The 3 primary risk factors are:
o Force - examples of force include heavy lifting, pushing/pulling, or excessively
squeezing a hand tool such as a hammer.
o Awkward postures - examples of awkward postures include reaching overhead,
bending to ground level to lift a box, or looking down at a laptop monitor.
o Repetition/Duration - examples include repeating similar motions/actions (e.g. force,
awkward postures, etc.) over the course of a workday. If the duration these actions are
repeated is increased, the more likely an injury such as an MSD will occur.
Secondary risk factors include:
o Static Posture
o Contact Stress
o Cold/heat
o Vibration
o Noise
o Physical Stress
o Emotional Stress
Personal risk factors for injury include:
o Obesity
o Smoking
o Age
o Gender
2. Physical Injuries
A. Sprain
A sprain is caused by an injury that stresses a joint and overstretches or even ruptures
supporting ligaments. This can happen from a fall, twist, or blow to the body,
In a mild sprain, a ligament is stretched, but the joint remains stable and is not loosened. A
moderate sprain partially tears the ligament, causing the joint to be unstable. With a severe
sprain, ligaments tear completely or separate from the bone. This loosening interferes with
how the joint functions. You may feel a tear or pop in the joint. Although the intensity varies,
all sprains commonly cause pain, swelling, bruising, and inflammation.
The ankle is the most commonly sprained joint.
And a sprained ankle is more likely if you've had a previous sprain there. Repeated sprains can
lead to ankle arthritis, a loose ankle, or tendon injury.
B. Strain
Acute strains are caused by stretching or pulling a muscle or tendon. Chronic strains are the
result of overuse of muscles and tendons through prolonged, repetitive movement. Not getting
enough rest during intense training can cause a strain.
Typical symptoms of a strain include:

o Pain
o Muscle spasm
o Muscle weakness
o Swelling
o Inflammation
o Cramping
In severe strains, the muscle, tendon, or both are partially or completely ruptured, resulting in
serious injury. Some muscle function will be lost with a moderate strain, in which the muscle,
tendon, or both are overstretched and slightly torn. With a mild strain, the muscle or tendon is
stretched or pulled slightly.
These are some common strains:

• Back strain. This happens when the muscles that support the spine are twisted, pulled, or
torn. Athletes who engage in excessive jumping or twisting -during basketball or volleyball, for
example-are at risk for this injury.
• Hamstring muscle strain. This is when a major muscle in the back of the thigh tears or
stretches. The injury can sideline a person for up to 6 months. The likely cause is muscle
strength imbalance between the hamstrings and the quadriceps, the muscles in the front of
the thigh.
Kicking a football, running, or leaping to make a basket can pull a hamstring. Hamstring
injuries tend to happen again.
C. Fracture
A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an
open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or
sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening
of the bones.
Example of Fracture Injuries:

Avulsion fracture: A muscle or ligament pulls on the bone, fracturing it. Comminuted fracture:
An impact shatters the bone into many pieces. Compression, or crush, fracture: This generally
occurs in the spongy bone in the spine. For example, the front portion of a vertebra in the
spine may collapse due to osteoporosis.
D. Tendinitis
Tendinitis is a condition where the connective tissues between your muscles and bones
(tendons) become inflamed. Often caused by repetitive activities, tendinitis can be painful. It
commonly happens in the elbow, knee, shoulder, hip, Achilles tendon and base of the thumb.
Tendinitis is also called tendonitis.
Who gets tendinitis?

Anyone can get tendinitis. However, it's more common in those who do repetitive activities.
Some of these activities include:
o Gardening/landscaping.
o Woodworking.
o Shoveling.
o Painting.
o Scrubbing.
o Tennis, golf, skiing, baseball (throwing and pitching).
Other risk factors for tendinitis include:

o Poor posture at work or home.
o Presence of certain diseases that can weaken muscles. These diseases can include:
o Rheumatoid arthritis.
o Gout/pseudogout.
o Blood or kidney diseases.
Where does tendinitis occur?

Tendinitis can occur in almost any area of the body where a tendon connects a bone to a
muscle. The most common places are:
o Base of the thumb.

o Elbow.
o Shoulder.
o Hip.
o Knee.
o Achilles tendon (connects the calf muscles to the heel bone).
3. Techniques of reducing risk in Injuries

Develop a fitness plan that includes cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility.
This will help decrease your chance of injury. Alternate exercising different muscle groups and
exercise every other day. Cooldown properly after exercise or sports.
5 Ways You Can Decrease Your Risk of Injury

o Warm Up. Warming up is extremely important to a successful workout or training
session..
o Get Enough Sleep. Getting enough sleep means your body is getting the rest it needs to
perform at optimal speed.
o Know When To Rest
o Know Your Weaknesses
o Cross-Train and Condition

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Risk Factors & Reporting

Common MSD's include but are not limited to:

Injury Risk Factors (Root Causes of MSD's)

Typical symptoms of a strain include:

These are some common strains:

Example of Fracture Injuries:

Who gets tendinitis?

Other risk factors for tendinitis include:

Where does tendinitis occur?

o Base of the thumb.

3. Techniques of reducing risk in Injuries

5 Ways You Can Decrease Your Risk of Injury

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