Ongoing Projects

Prospective Cohort of Distal Upper-Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders

Dr. Kurt Hegmann, Dr. Matthew Thiese, Dr. Andrew Merryweather, Dr. Eric Wood

Occupational Injury Prevention, Ergonomics and Safety, Occupational Medicine

This is a prospective cohort study of more than 1,200 workers from 17 employers in three states (IL, UT, WI), which was jointly incepted with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to: 1) determine baseline musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevalence rates, 2) quantify job and individual risk factors, 3) validate existing job analysis methods, and 4) develop models for predicting risk of MSDs. The MSDs include carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylopathy, medial epicondylopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and various wrist extensor/flexor tendon disorders. The research team was divided into three blinded teams: 1) health assessment team, 2) job assessment team, and 3) data management and statistical analysis team.

The cohort completed baseline questionnaires, structured interviews, standardized physical exams, anthropometric measurements and nerve conduction studies (NCS). Job physical measures included object weights, forces, repetition rates, % duration of exertion, posture, speed of work, and duration of work. Workers were contacted monthly for changes in symptoms, new symptoms development, and physical exams. NCS was performed on all with paresthesias every six months. Jobs were remeasured when there were significant changes.

This cohort study has resulted in many important discoveries.

Publications (some of 30):

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