Management and Outcome of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders(MSD)are very common，which account for most of the occupational compensation in U.S.A。According to the epidemiological surveys，injured sites are frequent at low back，neck and shoulder and upper extremity。Although the MSD will not threaten the lives，they result in discomfort，some cost much and decrease the productivity。There was little study in our country to reveal the risk factors of medical utilization and disabling of MSD。Therefore，we do not have well-established strategy of the assessment and treatment for the workers who can not return to work。The purposes of this study are：1、To have sequential surveys to find the prevalence，incidence and possible risk factors of work-related MSD of employees in different industries and their medical utilization and disabled conditions。2、To find the victims of work-related MSD from clinics，assess their disablement and if they return to work and to find the factors those prevent them return to work。3、To develop individualized work hardening programs for the victims who can not return to wok after treatment。The program will be established according to their injuries and their work characteristics。