Background: Physical therapists are known to be susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), but the prevalence of WMSDs in Saudi Arabia has not been documented. This study aimed to establish the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of WMSDs among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 113 physical therapists in Saudi Arabia using a 6-component questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, incidence, percentages, and χ 2 test were used for data analysis. Results: The response rate was 68.8%. The reported 12-month incidence of WMSDs was 83.8%. The low back (63.7%) was the most common site of these disorders, followed by the neck (59.2%), while the hip/thigh (4.4%) was the least involved body part. Incidence was related to gender: females were more affected than males (neck, shoulders, low back); age: younger therapists were more affected than older ones (shoulders, low back); working sector: government sector workers were more affected than those employed in other sectors (neck); and specialty: orthopedic specialists were the most frequently affected, followed by those specializing in neurology (thumbs, upper back, knees, ankle/foot). Most of the physical therapists had >5 periods of neck, shoulder, and low-back WMSDs. The most important risk factor for WMSDs was treating more patients in a day (47.7%). The most frequently adopted handling strategy identified to combat WMSDS was modifying the patient's position (62.8%). Conclusions: Overall, WMSDs among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia are common, with the low back and the neck constituting the most frequently affected body regions. Professional experience and the awareness of ergonomics principles can help prevent the early development of WMSDs among physical therapists.

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and ergonomic risk factors are widespread problems in the healthcare sector. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the application of the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool in various healthcare professionals and to assess the level of ergonomic risk among them. METHODS: The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, SCIELO, DOAJ, PubMed, and PEDro were searched with terms associated with ergonomics, assessment, health care providers, risk factors, workplace, and RULA. We reviewed the literature from 2000 to 2020, including studies assessing RULA’s effectiveness for evaluating the WMSD’s and ergonomic risk in health care practitioners. We excluded the studies which were not open access and freely available. RESULTS: Overall, 757 records were screened; of these 40 potential studies, 13 different healthcare professionals were identified as eligible for inclusion. In most studies, the RULA tool was established as an effective tool in application and evaluating the level of the ergonomic risk among them. CONCLUSIONS: The RULA tool assessed the high ergonomic risk levels in dental professionals and low ergonomic risk levels in professionals working in the pharmacy department, clearly suggesting potential changes in work postures were necessary to prevent or reduce these risk factors.

Assessment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) has become widely accepted and reported in the literature. The objectives of this study are to (1) recognize and describe the topmost 50 cited scientific articles in WMSDs using the RULA and NMQ and (2) explore the factors that contribute to making an article influential. In this bibliometric study, we used the Web of Science and MEDLINE databases to identify the top 50 cited articles published from 1993 to 2022. The data collected were the title of the journal, number of citations, year of publication, type of the study, institution where the work was conducted, level of evidence, contribution of primary authors, and country of origin of the work. Our results showed that the top 50 cited articles were published between 1980 and 2010. The 2000s was the most valuable decade. Regarding journals, the Work journal had the highest number of articles concerning the use of RULA and NMQ in healthcare professionals. The maximum number of citations regarding RULA occurred in the Journal of Robotic Surgery (n = 50) and the maximum for NMQ occurred in the Journal of Safety Research (n = 106). Most articles originated from the United States, followed by England and the Netherlands. Eight authors had two publications published in the top 50 list. The majority of the topmost cited research articles were cross-sectional studies. Most of these studies were level III evidence. The bibliometric analysis from this study provides insights to researchers to choose the most appropriate and influential journal for submitting work on WMSDs.

BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength is considered an important interpreter of general health, and hand functions in children. It is mainly influenced by anthropometric determinants and hand dimensions. OBJECTIVE: To assess the handgrip strength and their association with anthropometric determinants, hand circumference, hand span, and hand length among school children in both the dominant and non-dominant hand. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements, hand circumference, hand span, hand length, and grip strength measurements were obtained from 133 school children of both genders aged 6–12 years. A Jamar hand-held dynamometer was used to measure handgrip strength and the hand dimensions with a tape measure in cm. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the handgrip strength among boys and girls. The dominant hand was found to be sturdier than the non-dominant hand in both genders. We also found a significant correlation of anthropometric determinants and hand dimensions with handgrip strength. Age, BMI, hand circumference, hand span, and hand length had a strong correlation with grip strength (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed the reference values and concluded its correlations with hand dimensions among school children aged 6–12 years and this information can serve as a manual for interpretation of handgrip strength measurements in children.

Introduction: The hip is a true ball-and-socket joint surrounded by powerful and well-balanced muscles, enabling a wide range of motion in several physical planes while also exhibiting remarkable stability. The vascular supply to the femoral head has been well studied due to the risk of vascular necrosis of the head when it is disrupted, particularly in fractures of the femoral neck or dislocation of the hip. Total hip arthroplasty (THR) is the surgical procedure of choice, because this treatment improves the patient’s quality of life and facilitates the patient’s return to activities of daily living (ADLs) and even to labor activities. Methodology: Total 5 patients with Total Hip Arthroplasty were taken. Patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria were included in the Study. Informed and written Consent were taken. Physiotherapy treatment was given in form of ROM Exercise and Strengthening Exercise Twice a day for 5 days. Outcome Measures: Goniometer for ROM and MMT for Strength. Result: Pre and post intervention data was recorded with Goniometer and MMT. Significance was assessed at 5% level of significance. Significance improvement in ROM and Muscle strength of Hip, Knee and Ankle was noted. Conclusion: Study shows significance effect of following Physiotherapy on Strength and ROM in patients with Total Hip Arthroplasty. Key words: Total Hip Arthroplasty, THA, Post-op. Physiotherapy.