Download BACK INJURY - Oklahoma City Community College

BACK AND OTHER
MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
CARE AND PREVENTION
STATISTICS
 Almost 100% will suffer some musculoskeletal
problem in their lifetime
 80% of work-age persons have already experienced
some back pain or discomfort
 100 million work days lost annually
 Direct and indirect dollars spent annually is over 25
BILLION dollars
 Back injuries second only to respiratory infections in
lost work time and dollars
THE SKELETON’S
BASIC FUNCTIONS
 Provides body support
 Maintain upright position
 Protect spinal cord and other
soft tissue
 Allows flexibility to bend
and rotate
 Cushion against
shock
MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY
CAUSES
 Probably no single cause
 Result of years of traumas and stresses
 Eventual “twinge” or “pop” is the straw that
broke the camel’s back
 Collective causes are poor posture, faulty
body mechanics, loss of body strength and
flexibility, and general fitness decay
ANATOMY OF
THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN
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Vertebra - Bones
Process - Bone extension from vertebra
Joint - Space between vertebra
Disc - Cartilage rings or pads
Ligament - Connective tissue
Muscle - Create movement
Tendon - Tie muscles to bones
Nerve - Control muscle activity
PHYSIOLOGY OF
THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN
Provides body support and structure
Absorbs shock
Enervation path to most all body parts
No blood flow or enervation to discs
Discs cannot be repaired or replaced by
body
 Pain in extremities may be caused by
pinched nerve in vertebral column
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Vertebral Column Regions
Cervical (7)
Thoracic (12)
Lumbar (5)
Sacral (5)
STANDING POSTURE
 Keep your spinal column
aligned in its natural
curves
 To reduce stress on lower
back rest one foot at a
time
 Keep work area at elbow
level
STRETCH OFTEN
& SHIFT POSITIONS
 Change (shift) your posture
often
 Stretch frequently
 Keep your body flexible
(not rigid or fixed)
 Don’t force your body to
conform to its workspace
PREPARING TO LIFT OR MOVE
 Stretch your muscles
and warm up before
lifting?
 Wear slip resistant
shoes?
 Clear a pathway before
you move the item?
 Visualize the move
before you start.
LIFT WITH COMMON SENSE!
 Assess the situation
 Is the load big,
bulky, heavy?
 Do you need help?
 Remember, no single
technique will work
in all circumstances
PUSH-- DON’T PULL
 Can You Slide It Instead
of Lift It?
Need Help Or Assistance?
 If needed, get help or
assistance before lifting
 Use proper equipment
- Hand trucks
- Forklifts
- Dollies or carts
 Re-adjust the load or your
position before you lift
The Safe Lifting Zone
 The safe lifting zone is
between the knees and
shoulders
 Below knee level? Bend
with your knees and lift
with your legs
 Above your shoulders?
Use a stool or ladder
When You Lift -- Plant your feet firmly - get
a stable base
 Bend the knees- not the
waist
 Tighten abdominal muscles
to support your spine
 Get a good grip- use both
hands
 Place hands on opposite
corners for balance
When You Lift ---
 Keep the load close to
your body
 Use your leg muscles as
you lift
 Keep your back upright,
in its natural posture
 Lift steadily and
smoothly without jerking
When You Lift
Do Not!
 Lift while reaching or
stretching
 Lift from an
uncomfortable posture
 Fight to recover a
dropped object
 Lift and twist at the
same time
Lifting And
Carrying Problems
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Loss of Body Balance
Deviating from the back’s normal curvature
Sideward lifting
Extended arms lifting
Improper carrying
Twisting and repetitive motion
Common Mistakes
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Lifting with back bent forward and legs straight
Using fast jerky motions
Lifting and twisting at the same time
Carrying the load away from the body
Poor planning and/or communication
Insufficient strength
Rules For Lifting
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Plan lifts; Remove obstacles
Test the load weight
Get assistance when necessary
Maintain balanced body position
Whenever possible use large muscles
Firm stomach muscles when lifting
Proper hand placement for balance
Rules For Lifting
 Keep load as close to the body as possible
 Pivot feet instead of twisting back
 Minimize reaching and bending
 Smooth and continuous motions
 Maintain wide stable base throughout lift
Examples Of
Injuries And Maladies
 Herniated or ruptured disc. No such thing as a
“slipped disc”
 Osteoarthritis - a wearing away of discs
 Aging and weight lifting causes a flattening of
discs
 Accidental injury (breaks, sprains, strains, etc.)
 Birth defects
Exercise Program
 Design and carry out exercise protocol to fit
body needs
 Utilize stretch routine frequently to keep body
flexible
 Helps prevent injury
 Do not overdo-- follow doctor’s instruction
carefully
Muscle Guarding
Pain
Muscle
Inflammation
Muscle
Guarding
Muscle
Spasm
Restricted
Movement
Metabolite
Retention
Circulatory
Reduction
Remember!
 Plan your tasks carefully to avoid back pain or
stress
 Managing your back is your responsibility
 Your work day is one third of your total day
 Relieving musculoskeletal stress away from work
is just as important