Documents upper extremities 41 results

"This study identified occupations with a marked impact on sick leaves due to respiratory disease.Respiratory disease accounted for 4.4% of the total number of sick leaves. The incidence of long-term ({>=90 days) sick leaves due to respiratory disease was 3 times higher in occupations with a high incidence than in those with a low incidence. There was a high correlation (r=0.80) between the incidence of long-term sick leave due to respiratory disease and sick leave due to all other conditions; this finding suggests that market and selection factors may play an important role in determining the overall risk for sick leave in various occupations. The proportion of sick leaves due to long-term respiratory disease out of all long-term disease was compared between occupations. Agricultural workers had a 46% higher proportion of long-term respiratory disease than metal workers. Industrial workers, food industry workers, and painters were also occupations with an increased risk. These findings could not be explained by differences in age or smoking habits.Major differences were found among manual and service occupations regarding long-term sick leave due to respiratory disease. Several occupations, in which exposure to respiratory sensitizers and irritants are known to occur, were among those in which workers had an increased risk for long-term respiratory disease. ..."

Objectives The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a sampling strategy for characterizing the finger force exposures associated with computer mouse use. Methods Mouse forces were measured from 16 subjects (8 men, 8 women), on 3 separate days, at their actual workstations while they performed (i) their regular work, (ii) a battery of standardized tasks, and (iii) simulated mouse use. Results The forces applied to the mouse did not vary between hours or days. During regular work, the mouse was used 78.0 (SD 40.7) times per hour, accounting for 23.7 (SD 9.5)% of the worktime. The mean forces applied to the sides and button of the mouse were low, averaging 0.6 % of the maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) (0.43 N) and 0.8 % MVC (0.35 N), respectively. The forces applied to the mouse during the standardized tasks differed from the regular work forces; however, there were moderate-to-strong correlations between the 2 measures. Conclusions With respect to performing exposure assessment studies, the 3 major findings were (i) mouse force measurements should be made while subjects perform their actual work in order to characterize the absolute applied force accurately, (ii) the forces applied to the mouse during the performance of a short battery of standardized tasks can be used to characterize relative exposure and identify computer operators or work situations for which higher forces are applied to the mouse, and (iii) subjects cannot accurately simulate mouse forces.

"The electromyographic (EMG) activity of shoulder and forearm muscles was recorded during a standardized computer task with different combinations of time pressure, precision demands, and mental demands to study the interaction of these factors and their effect on muscular response during simulated computer work. The interaction between work pace and other exposure factors must be taken into account when the effects of changes in exposure demands on muscular response are predicted. Only then can it be predicted whether changing demands will constitute a risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders."

"Despite the high frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the relation between work conditions and ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow has not been the object of much research. In the present study, the predictive factors for such ulnar nerve entrapment were determined in a 3-year prospective survey of upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders in repetitive work.Despite the limitations of the study, the results suggest that the incidence of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is associated with one biomechanical risk factor (holding a tool in position, repetitively), overweight, and other upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders, especially medial epicondylitis and other nerve entrapment disorders (cervicobrachial neuralgia and carpal and radial tunnel syndromes)."

"Objectives Workers' musculoskeletal disorders are often pain-based and elude specific diagnoses; yet diagnosis or classification is the cornerstone to researching and managing these disorders. Clinicians are skilled in pattern recognition and use it in their daily practice. The purpose of this study was to use the clinical reasoning of experienced clinicians to recognize patterns of signs and symptoms and thus create a classification system. Methods Two hundred and forty-two workers consented to a standardized physical assessment and to completing a questionnaire. Each physical assessment finding was dichotomized (normal versus abnormal), and the results were graphically displayed on body diagrams. At two different workshops, groups of experienced researchers or clinicians were led through an exercise of pattern recognition (clustering and naming of clusters) to arrive at a classification system. Interobserver reliability was assessed (8 observers, 40 workers), and the classification system was revised to improve reliability.Results The initial classification system had good face validity but low interobserver reliability (kappa. "

"This paper presents a conceptual model for the pathogenesis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The model contains sets of cascading exposure, dose, capacity, and response variables, such that response at one level can act as dose at the next. Response to one or more doses can diminish or increase the capacity for responding to successive doses. The model is used as a framework for discussing the development of work-related muscle, tendon, and nerve disorders. It is intended as a beginning, to be modified to explain new findings as they become available. In research, it can help to identify areas needing additional data for the development and expression of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Researchers can use it to design laboratory and field studies. In practice, it demonstrates the relationship between common exposure factors and different responses. This information can be used to evaluate and design jobs for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders."

"Introduction – La phase pilote du programme Coset-MSA a permis d'évaluer la prévalence des symptômes musculo-squelettiques du membre supérieur parmi les travailleurs de l'agriculture et, notamment, parmi les agriculteurs exploitants et les ouvriers agricoles couverts par la Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA).

Méthode – Les travailleurs ont été recrutés, dans cinq départements, par tirage au sort dans les bases de données de la MSA et invités à remplir un auto-questionnaire. L'échantillon d'analyse était constitué de 1 130 travailleurs, âgés de 18 à 65 ans, exerçant dans le secteur Agriculture, sylviculture et pêche, et en activité au moment de l'enquête.

Résultats – La prévalence de symptômes déclarés du membre supérieur au cours des 12 derniers mois était de 54% chez les hommes et 67% chez les femmes (p<10-3) et, respectivement, 20% et 34% ont eu des symptômes pendant plus de 30 jours. La prévalence la plus élevée, au cours des 12 derniers mois, concernait l'épaule pour les hommes (37%) et la zone main/poignet pour les femmes (49%). Ces dernières présentaient des taux de prévalence significativement plus élevés que les hommes, sauf pour le coude/avant-bras, zone pour laquelle il n'y avait pas de différence. Les prévalences de symptômes ne différaient pas significativement entre les agriculteurs exploitants et les ouvriers agricoles, chez les hommes comme chez les femmes.
Discussion-conclusion - Cette étude montre une forte prévalence des symptômes musculo-squelettiques du membre supérieur chez les travailleurs de l'agriculture qui constituent une population à surveiller en particulier, et à cibler en termes d'actions de prévention."

"Les Troubles MusculoSquelettiques du Membre Supérieur (TMS-MS) représentent 66 % des Maladies Professionnelles (MP). Leur nombre a été multiplié par 8 en 11 ans pour atteindre en 2002, 21126 cas de MP réglées. Bien que les données statistiques de MP ne soient qu'un reflet imparfait de la réalité du risque, leur examen montre que depuis 10 ans, les pathologies les plus graves à savoir les tendinites de la coiffe des rotateurs augmentent plus rapidement que les TMS-MS dans leur ensemble. Il est probable que ce nombre de malades va continuer d'augmenter dans les prochaines années. Une évaluation du coût indirect montre aussi que ces malades engendrent des conséquences sociales considérables qui interrogent sur l'employabilité des victimes qui ont souvent entre 40 et 60 ans. Les principes de prévention sont donc rappelés et la question d'un plan ambitieux de prévention soulevée. Ce risque, emblématique de la santé au travail, constituera avec les cancers professionnels un des principaux enjeux de prévention dans les prochaines années."

"Diagnostic criteria for work relatedness of neck, shoulder and arm disorders are based on a clinical diagnosis of the disorder and on assessment of the work exposure that may cause the condition. A diagnosis of a work related neck, shoulder and arm disorder has implications for both treatment, actions at the workplace and compensation. It is therefore important that the diagnostic criteria are evidence based and that there is a wide consensus about the evidence base and the criteria that should be applied. SALTSA has (partly) supported the work to produce a consensus document on the topic. This has been published and the document clearly describes the different disorders to consider, workplace exposures including psychosocial conditions and criteria that allows a conclusion if a condition is more likely to be work related than not work related. The document is intended for an audience of physicians and ergonomists involved in the diagnosis of occupational musculosceletal disorders. The material could also be useful for a lay public interested in identifying potential workplace problems, regardless of whether a case of a neck, shoulder or arm disorder has occurred. The material may also serve as a stimulus to suggest further inquiry with experts if a worker has complaints that could suggest a neck, shoulder or arm disorder. ..."

"Ce guide concerne les troubles musculosquelettiques (TMS) du membre supérieur. Après avoir situé la problématique des TMS, il répond aux questions les plus fréquemment posées et fournit des informations sur les données statistiques, la physiopathologie et les signes cliniques des TMS.
Il aborde également les facteurs de risque en général ainsi que ceux spécifiques au secteur secondaire et au travail informatisé. Il présente également la démarche de prévention préconisée par l'INRS et fait le point sur les outils pouvant être utilisés dans ce cadre.
Ce guide s'adresse à tous les préventeurs de terrain."