[Focal dystonia in musicians: An occupational disease?]

The professional sector of musicians presents particularities that increase the prevalence of specific diseases related to their activity. In Spain, between 2007 and 2014, the highest number of occupational diseases reported among musicians and related to their work, was those linked to exposure to physical agents. The most frequent were those associated with forced postures and repetitive movements, especially shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand injuries, as well as vocal cord nodules and carpal tunnel syndrome. In the group of musicians, focal dystonia, a neuromuscular pathology affecting fine motor control, stands out as specific. It is not included in the Spanish list of occupational diseases. Countries such as Germany already have it included in their Decree on occupational diseases. It is necessary in our country a normative update for a better social protection of those affected and advances in prevention and occupational health of musicians.