Arthritis and joint pain are highly prevalent in agricultural (ag) workers. A small number of workers sustain many ag operations, and the disability of even one worker thus contributes to economic hardship. A recent study investigated associations between joint health in Montana ag workers and financial wellbeing and work capacity.
Dr. Erik Adams was the principal investigator in a 2021 study, demonstrating a linkage between musculoskeletal symptoms and having been diagnosed with arthritis and difficulties performing ranching and farming tasks.
Agricultural workers reported diminished work capacity and needing to rely on others. While this may seem obvious to anyone with arthritis, it was necessary to quantify this linkage on a large scale to foster awareness and focus more attention on joint health in agricultural workers.
Readers are encouraged to look at the supplementary material that summarizes comments recorded in our focus groups of ranchers.
Dr. Adams is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Montana State University, Bozeman.
