A teacher at the University of Texas, El Paso, received a grant to identify strategies to prevent workplace injuries that occur when tendons degenerate or wear out from long-term use, the school announced.

Dr. Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia
(UTEP photo)

Dr. Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia, an assistant professor of public health sciences at UTEP, will lead a team of researchers who will investigate factors that increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the upper limbs, such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.

“Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a worldwide problem and a major occupational health concern, which have been estimated to cost more than $300 billion annually in direct health care expenditures and lost earnings, particularly through loss of productivity,” Ibarra-Mejia said in a statement. “Tendon degeneration and injury account for 20% to 30% of all work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and result in impaired function and persistent pain.”

The goal of the study is to identify early indicators of tendon overload and develop screening tests to identify workers who are at risk.