#2-18E. Navigating the Occupational Risks: Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Professional Musicians (RMD Open, 2025)

How often do we consider the unique occupational musculoskeletal risks faced by professional musicians? While music therapy is recognized for its complementary role in conditions like osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, the intensive and repetitive practice of playing an instrument predisposes artists to specific rheumatologic conditions. This viewpoint explores the spectrum of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in musicians, noting that repetitive movements and inadequate posture frequently cause tendinopathies and entrapment syndromes, primarily affecting the upper limbs. The most critical takeaway is that specialized medical management and targeted prevention strategies are crucial for addressing these occupational MSDs resulting from upper limb overuse to ensure the longevity of a musician's career. Clinicians should be mindful, however, that the true prevalence of these conditions is difficult to assess accurately, as musicians often hesitate to seek medical attention due to economic and social pressures. For physician listeners, understanding instrument-specific loads and risks—such as rotator cuff injury vulnerability in violinists—allows for the application of principles from "arts medicine" to provide timely intervention and appropriate treatment, thereby significantly contributing to the preservation of a musician’s professional life.

Citation: Autret L, Shipley É, Lodde B, et al. Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders in musicians: risks, adaptations and management. RMD Open. 2025. DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2025-006149

Disclaimer: This audio summary is based on personal interpretation and does not guarantee the exact content of the original paper. Please refer to the original article for details.