Interview with DR. Mora in the IRSST for the prevention of work-related epicondylitis
Fraternidad-Muprespa has participated this jueves in a conference organized by theRegional Institute of Safety and Health at Work of Madrid, IRSST, about “Prevention of occupational epicondylitis.”
Doctor José Ignacio Mora,, director of the Medical Management Center of the Mutua, has explained to more than 90 attendees connected that more than 70% of work injuries are pathologies of the upper limbs and the importance of both their rapid detection and the adoption of appropriate prevention measures.
Epicondylitis or also called “tennis elbow” is a repetitive stress injury in the forced pronation-supination movement, in which the tendons of the muscles on the external side of the elbow become inflamed (the extensor muscles of the fingers and wrist, and the supinators of the forearm) with a common origin (union) in the epicondyle.
“It is a complicated pathology to diagnose, it is clinical, it requires certain examination maneuvers to be carried out and with an ultrasound it can be confirmed. When the worker begins to feel the first symptoms, they should be transferred to their preventive medical service, so that they can evaluate a diagnosis and determine what needs to be done.”
Epicondylitis is a process that is generated over time, it begins with discomfort that can end in something chronic. “The risk is in the repetitive nature of the movements, not only the load but also the number of times that gesture is made and the time we are doing it during the work day.”
Some of the factors that can influence are age, since the tendons lose flexibility and resistance, and metabolic pathologies such as diabetes. It must be taken into account that practicing racket sports is also a triggering factor for this type of injury.
Dr. Mora indicates that “the treatment of this type of ailments is usually with analgesics and infiltrations and rehabilitation, since surgery is not very decisive.”
What to do when the pathology already exists?
Pre-warming up the joints is essential, in this case the upper part, and not only do it in isolation, but it must be habit-forming and internalized in the daily life of the workers.
Ergonomic measures and organizational measures must be taken, certain changes must be made so that the risk in certain tasks disappears and also combined with shift rotations and rest times, changing repetitive tasks will be of great help.
