The study calls for a renewed effort across Europe to tackle MSDs, led by an increase in early detection.

It says this would both reduce the burden on governments' health budgets and cut sick leave levels.

"MSDs clearly have a serious, negative impact on the EU workforce, as they were responsible for millions of lost working days," said Stephen Bevan, managing director of the Work Foundation.

my joints have just started early this year, so think we are in for a bad winter

Mine too

Lost working days are horrible, unless you are independently wealthy and can afford to take time to mend yourself. Notice the compassion expressed in this concern... for wealth generation. Human concern, not so much. What will the outcome be? Better wages to allow a more self-determined lifestyle? A restructuring of working conditions to better avoid on the job injury? Most likely? A tightening of sick day policies. Watch too for a reduction in traditionally liberal European vacation policies. They'll become more work obssessed, just like here in the states, all in the name of sacred productivity, because somebody wants to become richer.