Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses working in South African spinal cord rehabilitation units

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the leading cause of workrelated injuries among nurses (Chung et al., 2013) and are associated with pain, loss of function and disability (Sorour & El-Maksoud, 2012). Musculoskeletal disorders derive from physically demanding tasks such as helping patients to adjust position, maintaining a bent forward twisted posture and lifting heavy patients (Cilliers & Maart, 2013; Jellad et al., 2013; Punnett & Wegman, 2004). Musculoskeletal disorders can be inflammatory and degenerative disorders affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, peripheral nerves, supporting blood vessels or spinal discs (Anap, Iyer, & Rao, 2013; Punnett & Wegman, 2004). In this study, we classified work-related MSDs as any of the above-mentioned injuries occurring on duty and during patient handling activities.