title: Ageing, musculoskeletal health and work.
abstract: Changing demographics mean that many patients with soft tissue rheumatism, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, large joint prostheses and age-related co-morbidities are seeking to work beyond the traditional retirement age. In this chapter, we review the evidence on musculoskeletal health and work at older ages. We conclude that musculoskeletal problems are common in older workers and have a substantial impact on their work capacity. Factors that influence their job retention are described, together with approaches that may extend working life. Many gaps in evidence were found, notably on the health risks and benefits of continued work in affected patients and on which interventions work best. The roles of physicians and managers are also considered.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; ARUK-MRC Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, UK. Electronic address: ktp@mrc.soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Keith T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.affiliation: ARUK-MRC Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, UK; Department of Musculoskeletal Biology 1, Institute of Aging and Chronic Diseases, University of Liverpool, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK. Electronic address: ngoodson@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goodson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
keywords: Job loss; Musculoskeletal disorder; Older worker; Sickness absence