Istanbul Gelisim University - 50% of occupational diseases are musculoskeletal system disorders

50% of occupational diseases are musculoskeletal system disorders

Stating that musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational diseases, Physiotherapist Gülşah Konakoğlu said: “Fifty percent of all occupational diseases are musculoskeletal diseases depending on the people’s job”.

Stating that the musculoskeletal diseases occur in different parts of the body depending on the people’s job, Physiotherapist Lect. Gülşah Konakoğlu from Istanbul Gelisim University said: “Musculoskeletal disorders, usually associated with nonspecific findings, may occur in different shapes and symptoms. 45 percent of occupational diseases are in hand and wrist, 32 percent of it are on shoulder and 19 percent are, on the other hand, elbow problems.”

“THEY OCCUR FROM SOME SIMPLE BODY MOVEMENTS”

Noting that occupational musculoskeletal disorders are caused by simple body movements such as bending, straightening, holding, grasping, twisting and reaching out, Konakoğlu stated: “These are not movements that harm your health in daily life. What makes these movements detrimental are repetitions during work, the need to apply force and rapid movements. Occupational musculoskeletal disorders are not immediate traumas but slow trauma with increasing degrees.”

“PAIN IN THE LATER STAGE DOES NOT RELIEVE WITH REST”

Stating that these diseases affect the quality of life negatively; they appear as pain, weakness, fatigue, numbness, stiffness, tingling, coordination disorder and functional disorders, Konakoğlu said: “Musculoskeletal disorders are not usually caused by severe traumas. They occur slowly due to repeated injuries in the soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilages and the nervous system. While occupational musculoskeletal diseases are in the first phase, pain and fatigue disappear as a result of rest and work performance is not affected. In the middle phase, pain and fatigue occur immediately at the beginning of the work, and a decrease in performance is observed in repeated works. In the later phase, pain does not relieve with rest, and a decrease in performance becomes obvious. Although the sensation of pain, which is the most complained condition due to musculoskeletal disease, changes according to the severity of the disease, it can generally focus intensely on the shoulder - neck part, upper extremities (hand and arm parts), lower extremities (waist and leg parts).”

“DISEASES CAN COST FOR THE FAMILY”

Stating that occupational musculoskeletal disorders can cost much to employees, their family and the society, Physiotherapy Konakoğlu said: “The first effect is shown by preventing the employee from doing her/his work. An important factor that increases labor loss is late recovery and frequent recurrence. It is known that 60-70 percent of low back pain heals in 6 weeks, 70-90 percent in 12 weeks and recurs 20-44 percent in the first year.”

“AWARENESS MUST BE RAISED”

Emphasizing the need to raise awareness about solving the problems related to ergonomics in the workplaces and the protection of employees from occupational musculoskeletal diseases, Konakoğlu said: “It is necessary to regulate workplace working conditions with priority to employee health and safety. Occupational trainings to introduce occupational risks to employees may improve risk perception and behavioral change and reduce the frequency of injuries.”