It is known that those people who have had a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) are much more likely to suffer a subsequent incident. It also seems that some MSDs persist for long periods. Because most people suffer from MSDs at some point in their lives, it has been suggested that to impact MSD burden, prevention activities should take place at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels simultaneously. We also know that it is important for psychological health and commitment to the workplace that workers return to work even if they are not totally pain free. The social support provided by supervisors, co-workers, workplace policy and procedures, as well as clinical management is key. However, how well are we improving disability outcomes for MSDs?
For more information, read the editorial Why have we not solved the MSD problem?, by Dr. Richard Wells.