Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 88, Issue 3, Supplement 1 , Pages S34-S39, March 2007

Industrial Medicine and Acute Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 7. Acute Industrial Musculoskeletal Injuries in the Aging Workforce

  • Joseph P. Zuhosky, MD

      Affiliations

    • Total Spine Specialists, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to Joseph P. Zuhosky, MD, Total Spine Specialists, 9611 Sherrill Estates Rd, Ste B, Huntersville, NC 28078.
    • ,
  • Robert W. Irwin, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
    • ,
  • Aaron W. Sable, MD

      Affiliations

    • St. John’s Macomb Hospital, Warren, MI
    • ,
  • William J. Sullivan, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
    • ,
  • Andre Panagos, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York–Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
    • ,
  • Patrick M. Foye, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey: New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ.

Abstract 

Zuhosky JP, Irwin RW, Sable AW, Sullivan WJ, Panagos A, Foye PM. Industrial medicine and acute musculoskeletal rehabilitation. 7. Acute industrial musculoskeletal injuries in the aging workforce.

This learning module highlights the unique challenges faced by physicians treating the aging workforce. It is part of the industrial medicine and acute musculoskeletal rehabilitation study guide in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the patient that increase the risk of injury with aging are outlined. Low back injuries are the most common musculoskeletal complaint in the aging workforce. A conceptual framework for low back pain with aging, a differential diagnosis, and appropriate laboratory and radiographic investigations are also presented. Determination of causation in the setting of comorbid medical conditions and rehabilitation strategies are reviewed.

Overall Article Objective

To recognize diagnosis and treatment issues that are unique to the aging worker.

Key Words: Aging, Cumulative trauma disorders, Industrial medicine, Low back pain, Rehabilitation

 

 No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.

 Reprints are not available from the author.

PII: S0003-9993(06)01569-3

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2006.12.014

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 88, Issue 3, Supplement 1 , Pages S34-S39, March 2007

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