Musculoskeletal Disorders’ Classification Proposal for Application in Occupational Medicine

Pablo Monteiro Pereira, João Amaro, Bruno Tillmann Ribeiro, Ana Gomes, Paulo De Oliveira, Joana Duarte, João Ferraz, João Santos Baptista and José Torres Costa
Additional contact information
Pablo Monteiro Pereira: Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, (LAETA/ROA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
João Amaro: Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Bruno Tillmann Ribeiro: Occupational Safe and Health Department, IMTEP/PETROBRAS, Macaé 27913-350, Brazil
Ana Gomes: Occupational Safe and Health Department, Ria Blades/Siemens Gamesa, 3840-346 Vagos, Portugal
Paulo De Oliveira: Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Joana Duarte: Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, (LAETA/PROA), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
João Ferraz: Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, (LAETA/PROA), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
João Santos Baptista: Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, (LAETA/PROA), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
José Torres Costa: Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics, (LAETA/ROA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: Occupational-specific classifications of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are scarce and do not answer specific clinical questions. Thus, a specific classification was developed and proposed, covering criteria applicable to daily clinical activity. It was considered that the disorder development process is the same across all work-related MSDs (WRMSDs). Concepts of clinical pathology were applied to the characteristics of WRMSDs pathophysiology, cellular and tissue alterations. Then, the correlation of the inflammatory mechanisms with the injury onset mode was graded into four levels (MSDs 0–3). Criteria of legal, occupational and internal medicine, semiology, physiology and orthopaedics, image medicine and diagnostics were applied. Next, the classification was analysed by experts, two occupational physicians, two physiatrists and occupational physicians and one orthopaedist. This approach will allow WRMSD prevention and improve therapeutic management, preventing injuries from becoming chronic and facilitating communication between occupational health physicians and the other specialities. The four levels tool relate aetiopathogenic, clinical, occupational and radiological concepts into a single classification. This allows for improving the ability to determine a WRMSD and understanding what preventive and therapeutic measures should be taken, avoiding chronicity. The developed tool is straightforward, easy to understand and suitable for WRMSDs, facilitating communication between occupational physicians and physicians from other specialities.

Keywords: classification; WRMSD; MSD; occupational diseases; musculoskeletal disorders; occupational health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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