Arthritis and Work-Related Injuries Among Mexican Americans

Musculoskeletal Disorders in Mexicans and Mexican Americans: Causes and Solutions

Musculoskeletal mobility issues affect many people in Mexican and Mexican American communities. These problems make everyday movement hard, especially for older adults. Common issues include arthritis (often in the knees), chronic low back pain, shoulder injuries, wrist problems, and leg issues. These often come from tough jobs, extra body weight, and other factors. Women in these groups tend to face more limitations in daily activities than men do.

High Rates of Arthritis and Joint Problems

Arthritis is a major concern. In Mexico, osteoarthritis affects about 20-25% of adults aged 40 and older. This type of arthritis often hits the knees and causes pain that limits movement. A study found that arthritis increases the odds of hospitalization by 23% among middle-aged and older adults. When arthritis limits daily tasks, the risk jumps even higher, up to 48%.

Among Mexican Americans, similar patterns appear. Many report joint pain that makes walking, standing, or bending difficult. Knee osteoarthritis is common due to wear and tear from daily joint stress. Obesity plays a big role here, as extra weight puts more pressure on the knees—losing even a small amount of weight can significantly ease pain.

• Arthritis leads to activity limits in about 44% of Hispanic Americans with the condition.
• Physically demanding jobs speed up joint damage.
• Inflammatory types like rheumatoid arthritis affect Hispanics at higher rates than some other groups.

(Arthritis Foundation, n.d.; UTMB, 2025)

Chronic Low Back Pain and Work-Related Injuries

Chronic low back pain ranks high among these groups. In Mexico, low back pain has been the leading cause of years lived with disability in recent years. Musculoskeletal disorders overall rose sharply from 1990 to 2021, with a 57% increase in disability years. Low back pain topped the list at over 840 years lived with disability per 100,000 people.

Work drives many of these issues. Jobs in agriculture, construction, meatpacking, and factories involve heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and awkward positions. Immigrant Latino workers, including many of Mexican origin, face high risks.

• Meatpacking workers often report pain in the upper back, arms, and wrists—over 90% experience it due to repetitive, forceful work.
• Farmworkers and construction workers show high rates of epicondylitis (tennis or golfer’s elbow) at around 20%, rotator cuff injuries at 19%, and low back pain at 17%.
• Non-farm manual jobs sometimes show even higher rates than farming due to heavy equipment and confined spaces.

These injuries lead to ongoing pain and reduced mobility. Barriers such as limited English proficiency, fear of job loss, and lack of insurance make it harder to get help early.

(Rowland et al., 2021; Arcury et al., 2014; Quiroz-Reyes et al., 2024)

Other Common Neuromusculoskeletal Problems

Beyond back and knee issues, problems like rotator cuff injuries and epicondylitis appear often. These affect the shoulders and elbows from overuse. Foot and leg problems also limit walking and balance. Obesity is linked to many of these, as it adds stress to joints and raises inflammation.

In older Mexican American adults, pain raises the risk of frailty—a state where weakness and slow movement make falls and loss of independence more likely. Women often report more disability in daily life, possibly from higher arthritis impact or other factors.

• Musculoskeletal disorders rank first for years lived with disability in Mexico.
• Occupational risks and high body mass index are the top contributors to the burden.
• Older adults face growing challenges as populations age.

(NIH, n.d.; Quiroz-Reyes et al., 2024; GBD data via PubMed, 2023)

Role of Nurse Practitioners and Integrative Chiropractic Care

Nurse practitioners (NPs) and integrative chiropractic care offer helpful options for managing these issues. These approaches focus on culturally competent treatment—understanding cultural values, language needs, and family roles in health decisions.

NPs provide pain management, prescribe meds when needed, and guide rehabilitation. They address whole-person health, including nutrition and exercise, to fight obesity.

Chiropractic care uses hands-on adjustments to improve spine and joint function. It helps with back pain, neck issues, and mobility without always needing drugs or surgery.

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (APRN, FNP-BC), combines these fields. With over 30 years of experience in El Paso, Texas—a city with a large Mexican American population—he focuses on musculoskeletal disorders like chronic back pain, sciatica, and joint issues. His integrative style includes functional medicine to find root causes, such as inflammation or nutrition gaps. He uses non-invasive tools like spinal adjustments, laser therapy, decompression, and lifestyle plans to restore movement and reduce pain. Being fluent in Spanish and serving diverse communities, he tailors care to fit cultural needs.

Such combined care promotes functional rehabilitation—exercises to build strength, improve balance, and maintain daily activities. Low-impact options like walking, swimming, or tai chi help joints stay flexible. Weight control through healthy eating further eases joint stress.

• Early treatment prevents worse problems.
• Culturally sensitive approaches improve outcomes.
• Integrative methods support long-term mobility.

(Jimenez, n.d.; Boston Medical Center, n.d.)

These mobility challenges stem from work demands, weight issues, and aging. Awareness and better access to care can make a big difference. With proper support, many can stay active and independent longer.

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References

Arcury, T. A., Cartwright, M. S., Chen, H., Rosenbaum, D. A., Walker, F. O., Smith, G. A., & Quandt, S. A. (2014). Musculoskeletal and neurological injuries associated with work organization among immigrant Latino women manual workers in North Carolina. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 57(4), 468–475. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4452452/

Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). Hispanic/Latino wellness guide. www.arthritis.org/getmedia/1ad1c86d-79ac-4f82-ba93-9942dd7da93a/Hispanic-Wellness-Guide-VF.pdf

Boston Medical Center. (n.d.). New study finds racial and ethnic disparities persist in access to chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation. www.bmc.org/news/new-study-finds-racial-and-ethnic-disparities-persist-access-chiropractic-care-and-physical

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Injury Medical Clinic. dralexjimenez.com/

National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Older Mexican American adults experiencing pain are at risk of developing frailty. www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/older-mexican-american-adults-experiencing-pain-are-risk-developing-frailty

Quiroz-Reyes, J. A., et al. (2024). Analysis of musculoskeletal disorders-associated disability in Mexico from 1990 to 2021. PubMed. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38386887/

Rowland, S. A., et al. (2021). Musculoskeletal pain and cardiovascular risk in Hispanic/Latino meatpacking workers. Workplace Health & Safety. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21650799211016908

University of Texas Medical Branch. (2025). Arthritis hospitalization risk in Mexico: UTMB study. www.utmb.edu/spph/about-us/news/article/news/2025/05/12/arthritis-hospitalization-risk-mexico-utmb-study

(Additional sources from Global Burden of Disease and related PubMed entries: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37775642/)