Introduction: the WHO in March 2020 declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, with the pronouncement that social distancing will be applied, then the lifestyle had to change, including learning activities that had to migrate to online using data display screens (DDS). However, prolonged use can generate severe health effects such as musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: analyze and correlate the different musculoskeletal disorders with prolonged use of DDS, as well as identify the possible injuries or postural modifications in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: a cohort study was conducted with 65 students according to the selection criteria applied. X-ray plates (AP and lateral cervical spine) were taken from each of the participants. The radiological markings were carried out to assess and identify the presence of biomechanical alterations; comparisons were also made according to the use of DDS. Results: among the different types of DDS that the participants used, the highest percentage was for the smartphone, which they used in their bedroom for 9 to 10 hours per day. According to the ratio between the cervical angle and depth measurement, 75.4% of participants presented hypolordosis, and 72.3% presented extension or posteriority of C1. Conclusions: we demonstrated the presence of biomechanical alterations in the cervical spine derived from the prolonged use of DDS in university students, mainly in those who use smartphones for 8 to 10 hours. There is a significant correlation between the radiological markings of the cervical angle and the depth measurement, and a decrease in cervical curvature (hypolordosis).
ResumenIntroducción: la OMS declaró como pandemia al COVID-19 en marzo de 2020, con el pronunciamiento de que se aplicará el distanciamiento social, entonces el estilo de vida tuvo que cambiar, incluyendo actividades de aprendizaje que tuvieron que migrar a online usando pantallas de visualización de datos (DDS, por sus siglas en inglés); sin embargo, el uso prolongado de éstas puede generar graves efectos en la salud, como trastornos musculoesqueléticos. Objetivo: analizar y correlacionar los diferentes trastornos musculoesqueléticos con el uso prolongado de DDS, así como identificar las posibles lesiones o modificaciones posturales en estudiantes universitarios durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio de cohorte con 65 estudiantes según los criterios de selección aplicados. Se tomaron placas de rayos X (AP y columna cervical lateral) de cada uno de los participantes. Se realizaron los marcajes radiológicos para evaluar e identificar las alteraciones biomecánicas, también se hicieron comparaciones según el uso de DDS. Resultados: entre los diferentes tipos de DDS que utilizaron los participantes, el mayor porcentaje de uso lo tuvo