Repetitive Motion Injuries
A Review of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders of the low back and upper extremities are an important and costly national health problem. Musculoskeletal disorders account for nearly 70 million physician office visits in the United States annually and an estimated 130 million in total health care encounters, including outpatient, hospital, and emergency room visits. In 1999, nearly one million people took time away from work to treat and recover from work-related musculoskeletal pain or impairment of function in the low back or upper extremities.Conservative estimates of the economic burden imposed, as measured by compensation costs, lost wages, and lost productivity, are between $45 and $50…
