Musculoskeletal Injuries

What are Musculoskeletal Injuries?

Musculoskeletal injuries are any injuries causing damage to bone, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and related structures. They can occur in any area of your musculoskeletal system such as the neck, back, hips, knees, shoulders, or elbows.

Some examples of musculoskeletal injuries include but are not limited to:

Muscle tendinitis or strains (tears in the muscle fiber)
Ligament sprains (overstretched ligaments)
Bursitis and fasciitis (inflammation of the bursa sac and fascia)
Cartilage damage (often in the knee)
Bone fractures (due to impact trauma)
Carpal tunnel syndrome (pain in hand and fingers due to nerve compression)
Pinched nerves (due to pressure by surrounding tissues)
Neck tension syndrome (muscle stiffness in the neck)

Causes of Musculoskeletal Injuries

Several factors are responsible for musculoskeletal injuries. Some of them include:

Heavy physical work, falls, fractures
Jerking movements, twisting, or overstretching
Motor vehicle accidents, direct blows, vibrations
Excessive force (pulling or pushing), dislocations
Poor or awkward posture
Prolonged immobilization
Repetitive movements
High body mass index (obesity)
Wear and tear due to overuse

Signs and Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Injuries

Symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries manifest in the form of:

Pain, redness, swelling or instability at the injury site
Tightness or tension at the injury site
Discomfort that worsens with movement or activity
A burning sensation or a pulled muscle
Decreased range of motion and loss of function (in severe cases)

What if Musculoskeletal Injuries are left untreated?

If untreated, there can be an increase in pain as time goes on, as well as the risk of improper healing. This can result in an inability to work or perform daily tasks and activities.

How are Musculoskeletal Injuries Diagnosed?

Your doctor may begin the diagnosis with a physical examination. This includes palpating (touching) the affected area and looking for typical symptoms. However, to determine the underlying cause of the pain, the doctor is likely to order imaging tests such as:

X-rays to take images of the bones
CT scans for an in-depth look at the bones
MRIs to assess soft tissues like muscle, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons

Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries

Musculoskeletal injuries need immediate attention. Priority should be to bring pain and swelling under control as quickly as possible.

Most mild to moderate musculoskeletal injuries can be treated with the RICE method which involves:

Rest: Adequate rest to ensure healing of the injured tissue
Ice: Placing an ice bag or a cold gel pack on the area to reduce pain and inflammation
Compression: Applying bandages or wraps to minimize swelling of the injured area
Elevation: Keeping the injured part raised above the heart level to reduce pain and swelling

The RICE method, when combined with over-the-counter pain relief, is known to be effective in most cases.

However, different types of physiotherapy or occupational therapy may also be used to treat the injuries. Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can also be an option.

If the pain and swelling do not begin to go down after the RICE treatment, the injury may require more intensive treatment and possibly surgery.

Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries

You should follow safe measures when performing everyday activities and observe good body mechanics. Maintaining a tall posture, being careful when picking up heavy objects, and keeping repetitive motion to a minimum will go a long way to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.