Occupational Injuries' Work-Loss Toll.

• Position: Brief Article

Dislocations and carpal tunnel syndrome result in the most work-loss days among occupational injuries and illnesses, according to data compiled by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Employees who dislocate a shoulder, hip, or other joint will be out of work a median of 28 days," notes Joseph A. Buckwalter, chairman of the Academy's Council for Research and Scientific Affairs and professor and chair of orthopedic surgery, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City. "Carpal tunnel syndrome results in a median work loss of 25 days; fractures, 17 days." Approximately 3,600,000 back sprains keep employees absent from work an average of nine days.

He points out that musculoskeletal conditions, which rank number one among impairments, cost the U.S. $215,000,000,000 each year. "One out of every seven Americans has a musculoskeletal impairment."

In 1998, 48,000,000 Americans had back pain which lasted nearly four weeks; 9,000,000 experienced knee pain; 8,000,000, hand pain; and 6,000,000...