Mobility Problems in Mexican and Mexican American Communities After Injury: What’s Common, What Makes It Worse, and How Personal Injury Care Can Restore Function

Musculoskeletal (MSK) problems are injuries or conditions that affect the muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, and discs. When MSK pain becomes chronic, it can limit mobility—meaning it gets harder to walk, lift, bend, kneel, climb stairs, work, and sleep.

For many Mexican and Mexican American individuals and families, mobility issues often come from a mix of:

• Arthritis, especially knee osteoarthritis

• Chronic low back pain

• Work-related overuse injuries (shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, hips, knees, feet)

• Injuries from motor vehicle accidents (whiplash, back injury, shoulder injury, nerve irritation)

• Higher rates of physically demanding jobs

• Obesity and metabolic stress, which can increase joint load and inflammation

• Gaps in access to conservative care, like rehab, chiropractic care, and coordinated musculoskeletal treatment

This article explains what is most common, why it happens, and how a personal injury-focused, integrative team—including nurse practitioners (NPs) and chiropractic care—can help people recover function while also supporting proper documentation and a clear plan of care when injuries involve legal and insurance processes.

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Why This Topic Matters for Personal Injury and Work Injuries

In personal injury cases, it’s not enough to say, “I hurt.” What matters clinically (and often legally) is:

• What structures were injured (joints, discs, soft tissues, nerves)

• How the injury affects function (work limits, daily life limits)

• What care is needed to improve mobility and reduce disability

• How progress is measured (range of motion, strength, pain scores, functional testing)

• Whether risk factors (like arthritis or obesity) are making recovery slower, but not “canceling” the injury

Musculoskeletal disorders are a major cause of disability in Mexico over time, with a rising burden and major impacts on function and daily life. (Clark et al., 2024, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38386887/) Chronic pain also raises frailty risk in older Mexican Americans, which makes early care and functional rehab even more important. (NIH, 2019, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/older-mexican-american-adults-experiencing-pain-are-risk-developing-frailty)

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Common Mobility Problems in Mexican and Mexican American Populations

Knee Osteoarthritis and Arthritis-Related Disability

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It frequently affects the knees, and knee pain can make it hard to:

• Stand up from a chair

• Walk long distances

• Climb stairs

• Kneel, squat, or crouch (common in many jobs)

A UTMB summary of research involving the Mexican Health and Aging Study notes that osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is common among adults 40 and older, with risk shaped by factors such as obesity and physically demanding work. (UTMB, 2025, https://www.utmb.edu/spph/about-us/news/article/news/2025/05/12/arthritis-hospitalization-risk-mexico-utmb-study)

Why this matters in injury cases:
Even if someone already had mild arthritis, a crash or work injury can “flare” symptoms, reduce function, and trigger a new level of disability. A personal injury team must document:

• Baseline function (what the person could do before)

• New limits after injury

• Objective findings (ROM loss, gait changes, swelling, weakness)

• Response to care over time

The Arthritis Foundation’s Hispanic Wellness Guide supports practical self-management strategies like movement, weight management, and healthy routines—important during recovery. (Arthritis Foundation, n.d., https://www.arthritis.org/getmedia/1ad1c86d-79ac-4f82-ba93-9942dd7da93a/Hispanic-Wellness-Guide-VF.pdf)

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Chronic Low Back Pain (With or Without Sciatica-Like Symptoms)

Low back pain is one of the biggest causes of disability. In Mexico, low back pain is commonly identified as a top MSK issue and a major cause of disability. (Staufert et al., 2020, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32816643/)

Low back pain may involve:

• Muscle strain and spasm

• Facet joint irritation

• Disc-related pain

• Nerve irritation (leg pain, tingling, numbness)

After a car accident, back pain may come from sudden force, poor bracing posture, seatbelt strain, or twisting. After-work injuries may result from repetitive bending, lifting, carrying, and awkward positions.

Functional impacts that should be documented

• Sitting tolerance (driving pain)

• Lifting limits

• Walking distance limits

• Sleep disruption

• Work restrictions

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Work-Related Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Injuries

Physically demanding jobs can lead to repetitive strain injuries, especially when the work is fast-paced, forceful, and repetitive.

Research in Latino workers has shown a high prevalence of MSK conditions, including:

• Epicondylitis (tennis/golfer’s elbow)

• Rotator cuff syndrome
  (Mora et al., 2014, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4452452/)

Meatpacking work environments have also been linked with high rates of pain complaints, often involving repetitive motions and forceful tasks. (SAGE article, 2021, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21650799211016908)

For aging Mexican immigrant farmworkers, MSK injury and pain can be linked with functional disability and reduced quality of life—especially as people get older and have fewer resources. (Berkeley HIA report, 2016, https://hia.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/article_musculoskeletal-inhury-functionala-disability-and-health-related-quality-of-life-in-aging-mexican-immigrant-farmworkers.pdf)

Common diagnoses seen in personal injury and work injury care

• Rotator cuff strain/tendinopathy

• Shoulder impingement patterns

• Elbow tendinopathy (lateral/medial epicondylitis)

• Wrist sprain/overuse pain

• Trigger points and myofascial pain

• Hand weakness and grip problems

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Foot, Ankle, and Knee Problems That Affect Balance and Walking

Knees and feet carry body weight all day. Pain in these areas can change gait (walking pattern) and cause problems up the chain—hips, back, and even neck.

Foot pain and knee pain can lead to:

• Slower walking speed

• Fear of falling

• Less activity (more stiffness and weakness)

In older Mexican Americans, pain is not just uncomfortable—it is linked to increased frailty risk over time. (NIH, 2019, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/older-mexican-american-adults-experiencing-pain-are-risk-developing-frailty)

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Why These Mobility Problems Are So Common: The Main Drivers

Driver 1: Physically Demanding Work and Repetition

Many people work in fields that demand:

• Lifting and carrying

• Repetitive tool use

• Standing for long hours

• Overhead work

• Frequent bending/twisting

Over time, these loads tend to affect the tendons, joints, and discs. The result can be chronic MSK pain and disability. (Mora et al., 2014, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4452452/)

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Driver 2: Obesity and Metabolic Stress

Higher body weight increases joint load, especially in:

• Knees

• Feet

• Hips

It can also increase systemic inflammation and reduce tolerance for activity. UTMB’s arthritis summary highlights obesity and physically demanding work as important factors in the burden of osteoarthritis. (UTMB, 2025, https://www.utmb.edu/spph/about-us/news/article/news/2025/05/12/arthritis-hospitalization-risk-mexico-utmb-study)

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Driver 3: Pain ? Reduced Activity ? Frailty and Disability Risk

When people hurt, they move less. When they move less, they lose strength, flexibility, and balance.

NIH research specifically reports that older Mexican Americans with pain were more likely to develop frailty over time. (NIH, 2019, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/older-mexican-american-adults-experiencing-pain-are-risk-developing-frailty)

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Driver 4: Unequal Access to Conservative Care (Chiro/PT/Rehab)

Conservative care helps many people with MSK conditions—especially when started early. But access isn’t equal.

A Boston Medical Center report on disparities noted persistent differences in access to chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation for adults with low back pain, including lower use among Hispanic adults. (BMC, 2023, https://www.bmc.org/news/new-study-finds-racial-and-ethnic-disparities-persist-access-chiropractic-care-and-physical)

Why this matters for PersonalInjuryDoctorGroup.com:
A personal injury-focused model can reduce barriers by offering coordinated evaluation, rehab planning, and step-by-step documentation from day one.

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What Personal Injury–Focused Integrative Care Looks Like (NP + Chiropractic + Functional Rehab)

In a personal injury setting, care is most effective when it is:

• Clinically strong (good diagnosis, functional rehab)

• Consistent (clear treatment plan and follow-ups)

• Measurable (objective findings tracked over time)

• Coordinated (NP + chiropractic + rehab + referrals when needed)

• Culturally respectful (communication that fits the person’s needs)

What Nurse Practitioners Add in Injury Mobility Care

NPs help by:

• Medical evaluation and safety screening

  • Identify red flags (fracture, infection, serious neurologic issues)

  • Decide when imaging or referral is needed

• Pain management with a safety-first approach

  • Medication review and safer options when needed

  • Sleep support, because sleep loss worsens pain

• Inflammation and healing support

  • Nutrition and hydration coaching

  • Weight-support strategies when appropriate

  • Managing metabolic conditions that can slow recovery

• Care coordination

  • Referrals (orthopedics, rheumatology, neurology, PT)

  • Support for ongoing work restrictions and progress monitoring

(ChiroMed APRN resource, 2026, https://chiromed.com/category/advanced-practice-registered-nurses-aprn/)

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What Integrative Chiropractic Care Adds

Chiropractic care can support mobility recovery by addressing:

• Joint motion restrictions (spine and extremities)

• Movement quality (how the person bends, lifts, walks, and reaches)

• Soft tissue stiffness and mechanical pain patterns

• Rehab exercises that restore strength and stability

For low back pain, conservative care approaches like chiropractic and physical rehabilitation are highlighted as evidence-based options, yet access differences persist—supporting the value of organized, team-based care. (BMC, 2023, https://www.bmc.org/news/new-study-finds-racial-and-ethnic-disparities-persist-access-chiropractic-care-and-physical)

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Practical Rehab Goals That Improve Mobility (Simple, Trackable, and Real-Life)

Goal 1: Restore Daily Function First

Instead of chasing “zero pain” right away, focus on function:

• Walking farther

• Sleeping better

• Standing longer

• Returning to safe work tasks

• Reaching and lifting without flare-ups

Functional milestones to track

• Walking time (minutes)

• Sitting tolerance (minutes)

• Lifting tolerance (pounds)

• Stair tolerance (flights)

• ROM measures (degrees)

• Strength measures (graded testing)

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Goal 2: Reduce Re-Injury Risk at Work

A smart work-focused plan includes:

• Micro-breaks (30–60 seconds every 20–40 minutes)

• Tool and grip changes when possible

• Lifting mechanics coaching

• Shoulder stability work for overhead tasks

• Core and hip strengthening to reduce back strain

High rates of overuse conditions like epicondylitis and rotator cuff problems make prevention and strengthening crucial. (Mora et al., 2014, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4452452/)

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Goal 3: Improve Strength Where It Protects Joints

Protective strength zones

• Glutes (hip stability for knees and back)

• Core (spine support)

• Upper back (posture and shoulder mechanics)

• Calves/feet (walking stability)

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Goal 4: Support Arthritis Without Ignoring Injury

If arthritis is present, the plan should still address the injury clearly, while also supporting long-term joint health.

Helpful strategies include:

• Low-impact walking and cycling

• Strength training for legs and hips

• Weight management support when appropriate

• Pain education to reduce the fear of movement

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

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Cultural Competence in Injury Care (What It Looks Like in Real Life)

Culturally competent care is not stereotyping. It’s clinical communication.

It may include:

• Language preference support

• Clear explanations without medical jargon

• Respect for family involvement if the patient wants it

• Asking about home remedies without judgment

• Discussing stress, sleep, and workload honestly

Research on pain care in Hispanic/Latino contexts has emphasized that beliefs, values, and communication can shape pain experience and care decisions, so trust and clarity matter. (Duggleby, 2003, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12637823/)

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Red Flags: When Pain Could Be Something Serious

Seek urgent evaluation for:

• New bowel or bladder control problems

• Numbness in the groin/saddle region

• Rapidly worsening weakness

• Severe pain with fever

• Major trauma with severe pain

• Unexplained weight loss with severe pain

• Severe night pain that does not ease

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Clinical Observations From Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC (Integrative Injury Perspective)

In injury-focused integrative care, Dr. Jimenez commonly emphasizes:

• Early evaluation to reduce chronicity risk

• Movement-based rehab rather than passive care alone

• Objective tracking (ROM, strength, function)

• Team-based coordination (NP + chiropractic + rehab + referrals)

• Patient education so people understand what the plan is and why it works

These themes align with integrative musculoskeletal care content and clinical education published through his platforms. (Jimenez, 2026, https://dralexjimenez.com/; Jimenez, 2026, https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/)

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Bottom Line for PersonalInjuryDoctorGroup.com

Common mobility problems in Mexican and Mexican American communities—like knee osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, rotator cuff injury, and epicondylitis—are strongly shaped by job demands, aging, obesity/metabolic stress, and access barriers to conservative rehab care. (Clark et al., 2024, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38386887/; NIH, 2019, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/older-mexican-american-adults-experiencing-pain-are-risk-developing-frailty)

A personal injury–focused integrative model can help by delivering:

• Clear diagnosis and safety screening

• Coordinated NP + chiropractic + functional rehab care

• Measurable progress tracking

• Work-focused recovery strategies

• Culturally respectful communication

• Documentation that supports a complete, organized recovery story

(BMC, 2023, https://www.bmc.org/news/new-study-finds-racial-and-ethnic-disparities-persist-access-chiropractic-care-and-physical)

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References

• Arthritis in the Hispanic Community: A Wellness Guide. (n.d.). Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/getmedia/1ad1c86d-79ac-4f82-ba93-9942dd7da93a/Hispanic-Wellness-Guide-VF.pdf

• Helping Hispanic/Latino home health patients manage pain. (2003). Home Healthcare Nurse (Duggleby, W.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12637823/

• Musculoskeletal disorders-associated disability in Mexico from 1990 to 2021. (2024). [PubMed Abstract] (Clark, P., et al.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38386887/

• Older Mexican American adults experiencing pain are at risk of developing frailty. (2019). National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Release. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/older-mexican-american-adults-experiencing-pain-are-risk-developing-frailty

• Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Latino manual workers. (2014). BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Mora, D. C., et al.). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4452452/

• Study finds racial and ethnic disparities persist in access to chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation for adults with low back pain. (2023). Boston Medical Center (BMC) News. https://www.bmc.org/news/new-study-finds-racial-and-ethnic-disparities-persist-access-chiropractic-care-and-physical

• Challenges and complexities of managing low back pain in Mexico. (2020). [PubMed Abstract] (Staufert, M. F. A., et al.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32816643/

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

• Musculoskeletal injury, functional disability, and health-related quality of life in aging Mexican immigrant farmworkers. (2016). UC Berkeley Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Resource. https://hia.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/article_musculoskeletal-inhury-functionala-disability-and-health-related-quality-of-life-in-aging-mexican-immigrant-farmworkers.pdf

• Pain and work exposure patterns in meatpacking workers. (2021). SAGE Journals Article. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21650799211016908

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) Category. (2026). ChiroMed. https://chiromed.com/category/advanced-practice-registered-nurses-aprn/

• Dr. Alexander Jimenez: Clinical Education and Integrative Injury Care. (2026). https://dralexjimenez.com/

• Dr. Alexander Jimenez LinkedIn Profile. (2026). https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/