Module 6: Upper Extremity Flashcards
what are the most common types of upper limb injuries?
- sprains & strains
- fractures
- tendonitis
risk factors for upper limb MSDs
- force
-awkward or sustained posture - duration
- repetition
- vibration
what is the rapid upper limb assessment used force?
postural analysis of upper limb tasks
designed to assess force, posture, and repetition
does not address vibration and duration
RULA scoring
score 1-2 = action level 1 (acceptable)
score 3-4 = action level 2 (further investigate and changes may be required)
score 5-6 = action level 3 (investigation and changes required soon)
score 7+ = action level 4 (make changes now)
strengths of the RULA
- body postures and forces can be estimated
- little training required
- non-invasive
-proactive
limitations of RULA
- variability
- subjective
- scoring systems are hypothetical
- duration not considered
- doesn’t address distal extremities
what is the Revised Strain Index used for?
analysis distal extremity tasks
addresses force, repetition, posture, and duration
incorporates epidemiology of MSDs, biomechanics research, and physiology research
5 components of RSI
1) intensity of exertion (IM)
2) efforts per minute (EM)
3) duration per exertion (DM)
4) hand/wrist posture (PM)
5) duration of task per day (HM)
RSI =
IM x EM x DM x PM x HM
RSI scoring
RSI > 10.0 = hazardous
RSI >/= 10.0 = safe
RSI strengths
- user can predict overall benefit of workplace modification
- shown to correctly or over predict hazardous jobs
- continuous rather than categorical multipliers
- differentiation between flexion and extension
- accounts for up to 12 hour days
RSI limitations
- only for distal upper extremities
- assesses the job and not the worker
- study only done at one factory
- doesn’t consider external compression forces
- no way to consider multiple tasks
