Date: 11/12/2025
By: Guinevere Everidge
Any employee is at risk of a wear-and-tear injury from their everyday work activities, whether it's constant bending/lifting in a warehouse or prolonged posture from sitting at a desk. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018) reported that in the private sector, there were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries in 2016. Nearly 30 percent of those injuries were classified as sprains, strains, and tears resulting from overexertion or extension1.
What is a wear-and-tear injury?
Wear and tear injuries are a type of occupational musculoskeletal injury. These affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. As classified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), wear-and-tear injuries may be reported as sprains, strains, inflammations, irritations, and dislocations. They can be related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs).
There is a significant overlap between the types of injuries; however, when an injury is caused by repetitive motion, occupational overuse, or constant awkward postures associated with an occupation, it is referred to as a wear-and-tear injury. These are not the result of a non-exertion event (e.g., slips, trips, or falls)2.
Examples of Wear-and-Tear Injuries3:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Back Pain from Poor Posture
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Shoulder Injuries
- Tendonitis
- Hearing Loss from Prolonged Exposure to Loud Noises
- Degenerative Joint Diseases/Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Chronic Micro Traumas
- Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Impact of Injuries
Wear-and-tear injuries affect muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints. These can lead to pain, inflammation, and difficulty working. As with most injuries, they typically start out as acute and, if left untreated, can develop into chronic conditions and are the second leading cause of disability requests4.
Wear-and-Tear Injury Diagnosis & Treatment
A clinician’s evaluation of wear-and-tear injuries involves a thorough medical history, occupational history, physical examination, and potential imaging studies, such as X-rays. Studies have shown that acute cases of these types of injuries can be optimally treated by reducing strenuous repetitive activity/rest. Supportive treatment, including a brace, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy (PT), is the most common approach. RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is often recommended before PT begins. When dealing with inflammation, the first step is to stop, rest, and bring down swelling. For more chronic cases, a clinician may consider a more in-depth approach. Other common treatments include5:
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®) can help reduce pain and inflammation, whereas acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is primarily used for pain relief.
- A support strap or brace can help alleviate pressure on the tendon and provide support during activity.
- A physical therapist (PT) can offer exercises designed to strengthen the muscles around the injured area, as well as stretching and warm-up routines to perform before work.
- Massage therapy can be used during recovery from injury for relaxation and relief from pain and muscle tension.
- In some cases, a steroid injection into the tendon sheath may be recommended for acute tendonitis if conservative measures fail to improve the condition. This helps reduce inflammation and facilitate rehabilitation. Botox injections or dextrose prolotherapy are more effective treatments for chronic cases.
- Surgery may be required as a last resort in cases such as torn tendons (e.g., rotator cuff) and ligaments (e.g., ACL tear), as well as joint replacement for severe degenerative joint diseases. Physical therapy is commonly recommended after surgery, as it can facilitate faster recovery and return to work.
Injury Prevention
- Education on proper warm-up and stretching exercises is crucial to injury prevention. Concentra® can help educate employees with an athletic trainer-designed program to prepare their bodies for work. Learning proper technique and form (ergonomics) specific to the job at hand can help employees avoid injury and pain. Consultations with certified athletic trainers and physical therapists can help employees understand the right stretches and exercises to enhance their job performance.
- Strengthening exercises can help keep employees’ arms flexible and strong. Improvement in muscle strength and tendon quality increases an employee’s ability to do their job duties and, in turn, reduces the risk of wear-and-tear injuries.
- Stretches prime the muscle fibers prior to exercise, thereby preventing injuries, compared to fibers that are not stretched before a workout/activity. An expanding range of motion can enhance an employee’s form and technique in the workplace, resulting in a lower risk of job-related injuries.
- Avoiding overuse can be challenging in certain areas of work, but being aware of proper and improper technique and form can help tremendously. Concentra can provide employers with support from a certified athletic trainer and/or physical therapist. Together, they can educate employees on the proper form and movements to develop healthy work habits and lessen the chance of injury.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), like earmuffs or earplugs, can help reduce the strain of loud noises on the eardrums. It can help reduce hearing damage or hearing loss when working in an environment with constant or elevated noise levels. Ensure that equipment inspections for damage are included in your company's standard operating procedures. Discard and replace if it has been compromised.
- Applying ergonomics in the work environment enables safety and efficiency by providing individuals with the knowledge and tools to perform tasks effectively. Using the right tools and methods is an easy way to provide employees with ergonomic options at work4. Concentra can arrange for the right professionals to evaluate work requirements and environment, then develop a plan tailored to your company's needs. Our ergonomic recommendations can help enhance productivity at work, boost employee morale, and reduce the number of work-related injuries and employee absences.
Workplace Injury Care
Even with the best preventive measures, employees may still suffer work injuries. When they do, diagnosing, treating, and helping them recover promptly are top priorities. Concentra offers workplace evaluation services to help identify and prevent injuries before they occur. Partnering with Concentra provides preventive education for common work-related wear-and-tear injuries and treatment to those experiencing pain. Helping employees recover comfortably and quickly with minimal interruption to your business operations is our top priority. Concentra’s injury care experts are here to advise and assist employers in developing a workplace injury plan. Our therapists work in-house, allowing them to work closely with and collaborate on care with an employee’s treating physician. This ensures a seamless recovery plan, including Concentra’s function-based alternative to the pain scale. This is a proven method, resulting in significantly fewer visits before return to work than the national average.
Concentra Telemed
Concentra Telemed® gives your employees access to care anytime without needing to go to a physician’s office. Our telemedicine service is ideal for treating individuals with relatively minor work-related conditions, such as occupational musculoskeletal injuries, thereby minimizing lost duty time. Using a laptop or mobile smart device, employees can connect with a Concentra clinician who will evaluate their injury and offer treatment options. This convenient care option connects injured employees with a clinician, especially when clinics are closed or located far away. By avoiding unnecessary trips to hospital emergency departments, employers save time, reduce costs, and increase overall productivity, while ensuring employees receive the care they need.
Learn more about Concentra’s occupational health services and how Concentra can help your business. Contact a Concentra representative or visit your local Concentra medical center and get started today.
Resources
- “Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016
- “National Strategy for Occupational Musculoskeletal Injuries,” National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), June 6, 2014
- “Five Common Workplace Repetitive Use Injuries,” PAM Health, Nov 21, 2024
- “Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders,” NIOSH, Feb 21, 2024
- “Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs),” Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, May 17, 2024
- “Concentra’s Function-Based Alternative to the Pain Scale,” Concentra, n.d.
- “Concentra Telemed,” Concentra, n.d.
- “Concentra HUB,” Concentra, n.d.
- "Concentra Injury Prevention and Wellness,” Concentra, n.d.
This article was provided by Concentra
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