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.


OBJECTIVE
To recognize diagnosis and treatment issues that are unique to the aging worker.
Zuhosky
Joseph P
JP
Total Spine Specialists, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28078, USA. jzuhosky@totalspine.com <jzuhosky@totalspine.com>
Irwin
Robert W
RW
Sable
Aaron W
AW
Sullivan
William J
WJ
Panagos
Andre
A
Foye
Patrick M
PM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000293:injuries*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014481:United States; D014942:Workers' Compensation