Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are disorders and injuries of the muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints. Employees are at risk of obtaining work-related musculoskeletal disorder through two types of work conditions:
The work environment and manner in which the work is performed has to contribute substantially to the disorder The disorder has to worsen or persist longer as a result of the work conditions.
Musculoskeletal disorders are responsible for different types of workers’ compensation costs, including absenteeism, lost productivity, and increased health care and disability costs. What makes musculoskeletal disorders so unique is that they are more severe than the usual nonfatal injury or illness. Because of musculoskeletal disorders, there are nearly 70 million physician office visits in the United States.