MINIMIZING THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF WORK ENVIRONMENT IN UPPER LIMB: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction: Occupational problems are highly prevalent and act as impediments to effective labor. As per the statistics by WHO, in the year 2003, it was seen that back injuries shared the highest proportion in occupational disorders (60%), followed by neck and upper limb. Body: In the upper limb, any joint, be it the shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand, can be affected. Variable structures ranging from the tendon, ligament, nerve or muscle can be involved leading to problems effectuating in the form of pain, tenderness, swelling, and functional deficits. Common problems seen are carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle sprain-strain, and osteoarthritis in joints, etc. Management: ULMSDS can be prevented by incorporating activity in daily life awhile also keeping a check on posture. At workplace, architectural adjustments and changes in physical and social environment can help prevention exacerbation of upper limb conditions. Regular rest intervals can also be included to avoid prolonged fixation of joints in one position. Conclusion: This paper focuses on ULMSDS in an attempt to improve the quality of life through various intervention strategies within the work organization thus enhancing work quality and output of the companies.\r\n\r\n Article visualizations: