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The loads on the knees in concrete reinforcement work and maintenance painting were analysed on eight construction work sites. A total of 352 reinforcement workers and 231 painters, Finnish men aged 20-64, were clinically and radiologically examined to determine the condition of the knee joints in active workers. The loads on the knees and the occurrence of minor injuries and accidents were higher in reinforcement work than in painting, but the occurrence of symptoms, clinical signs, and radiological findings was equally common in both groups. Reinforcement work seemed to provoke more symptoms from degenerated knees than painting.There are few studies of the occurrence of meniscal lesions and arthritic changes in the knee joints in specific occupational groups. Coal miners have been studied extensively and been found to have an unusually common occurrence of bursitis around the knee' 2 as well as meniscal lesions and arthrosis.3-9 Workers doing heavy carrying also have radiological signs of knee arthrosis more commonly than would be expected.'"We have carried out a large epidemiological study to determine the effects of concrete reinforcement work on the musculoskeletal system of the workers." We report the findings from the knee joints.Material and methods ANALYSIS OF WORK LOADSThe physical loads on the musculoskeletal system in the reinforcement trade were determined through systematic observation on six work sites (two bridge, two building, and two dwelling house construction sites). An The examination of the workers consisted of an interview, and a physical and a radiological examination. The interview was carried out according to a standardised questionnaire immediately before the clinical examination of the musculoskeletal system. The questions concerned previous and present knee symptoms, knee accidents, and sick leave due to knee disorders. The clinical examination was performed by two experienced physiotherapists, espe-216

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