Musculoskeletal Disorders Cause : Mechanical Loading of Body Parts

Mechanical loading plays THE important role in the evolution of any musculoskeletal condition. All the joints of the body and its surrounding muscles and soft tissues are designed to function in their neutral position. Every joints has its own optimum zone of functioning and any deviation from that zone produces stresses on the muscles, tendons, and structures of the joint. Also all structures of the body have their independent tolerance capacity of withstanding the load.
A body part is exposed to various types of static and dynamic forces during the routine activities of daily living. Static means keeping the body part in a position without moving it for prolonged duration. For example in the upper limb: holding a mouse, reading a newspaper, holding a mobile phone, driving and other similar activities. Dynamic means using the body part in a way that it is exposed to various active actions. For example in upper limb: washing clothes, cleaning utensils, texting with thumb, vigorous exercises.

If the body part is used in its functional zone and with proper precautions the impact of these forces is less and visible after a longer exposure. On the contrary if the same body part is used beyond its functional zone and carelessly then the implications are immediate. Even in an ideal atmosphere if the exposure is sustained then the impact will be visible, may be after a long duration and of lesser intensity. Thus how much mechanical load is applied, for how much time and how much rest is available? This are the factors that influence the development of aches and pains which can be termed as musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's)

One has to understand that in most cases there are no major diseases or illnesses that are responsible for aches and pains. But it is how one has used that body part before it starts giving us trouble. They are most cases the so called "routine" activities that one has been undertaking for months and years together that starts giving trouble.

Mechanical loading at various body parts is influenced by how one sits, stands, walks, bends, load is exerted on a joint while undertaking an activity and what position that joint is, while performing the activities. Symptoms due to MSD's can occur any time and it is all dependent on the magnitude and duration of the stress, the patient specific characteristic, the working atmosphere and the awareness level of the person. We may be undertaking an activity in an improper manner for months or years together and this cumulative stress will lead to damage and will become symptomatic one fine day. The focus should be on treating the pain but the major thrust must be on identifying the activities that may be contributing to them and modifying them accordingly.

Excessive mechanical loading also develops due to working in an improper working environment. We all work in a one size fits all environment, be it at office, home or recreational purposes. Environment includes the domestic and the office furniture and layout. The furniture in an office or at home is designed keeping the needs of an average person into consideration. But all individuals don't fall in that average category and thus they have to adjust to them producing stresses on their body parts. 

Many things contribute to the development of MSD's, poor posture being one of them. Mechanical loading while performing an activity means,
  • which joints or body parts are subjected to stress (for eg: knees and shoulders in a housemaid), 
  • what are the loads on those parts (compressive on the knees and shearing on the shoulder), 
  • are the parts getting intermittent break from the loads, so as to recover from injuries. These breaks may be without knowledge of its benefits to the joints but they help in delaying the onset of MSD
The increased focus on MSD's has occurred due to increased prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal complaints in younger generation, especially in desk workers. This is because desk workers work for prolonged duration and they work in an environment which promotes poor posture. The most common problems faced are neck pain and back pain followed by shoulder, wrist, elbow, knees and various other body parts. Ideally, the workstation should be tailor-made for the user but that being not possible, the work station should be converted to user specific demands so as to reduce the incidences of MSD’s. 

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