Work-related musculoskeletal injuries among upper extremity surgeons: A web-based survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND Work-related injuries have gained recent attention, especially in the orthopaedic literature. As upper extremity orthopaedic surgical tasks require repetitive and constant maneuvers, these surgeons can be at increased risk of acquiring work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders during their years in practice. AIM To assess the prevalence, characteristics and impact of MSK disorders among upper extremity orthopaedic surgeons. METHODS A modified version of the physical discomfort survey was sent to surgeons who were members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and the Canadian shoulder and elbow society via e-mail. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, and Fisher's exact test. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS Of the 142 respondents, 90.8% were males and the majority were younger than 55 years old (65.5%). A work-related MSK injury was reported by 89.4% of respondents, of which the most common diagnoses were low back pain (26.1%) and lateral elbow epicondylitis (18.3%). Among those that reported an injury, 82.7% required treatment and 26% required time off work as a direct result of their injury. The need to undergo treatment due to the injury was associated with increased number of injuries ( P < 0.01). Moreover, surgeons were more likely to require time off work when they had been in practice for > 21 years ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION A high proportion of surgeons in our survey reported MSK injuries, with more than one quarter of surgeons reported requiring time off work due to an MSK injury. The high incidence of these disorders may place a financial and psychological burden on surgeons and affect their ability to provide patient care. Awareness of operative ergonomics, irrespective of surgical specialty may help to decrease or possibly prevent the occurrence of these disorders.

The Biomechanical Burden of Orthopaedic Procedures and Musculoskeletal Injuries Sustained by Orthopaedic Surgeons

“…Surgeons experiencing joint pain ranged from 12.8% to 40.4%, shoulder tendinitis/impingement 12.9% to 32.6%, shoulder bursitis 10.6%, rotator cuff pathology 23.9%, and lateral epicondylitis 14.2% to 18.3% 4,5,7,21-25,29,33 . Furthermore, 13 studies estimated the prevalence of wrist/hand symptoms or injury at 10.5% to 54% 4,5,7,9,21-25,27,29,33,36 . Joint pain affected 10.5% to 32.2% of surgeons, wrist/forearm tendinitis 10.9% to 17.4%, carpal tunnel syndrome 8.6% to 25.6%, cubital tunnel syndrome 2.3%, and osteoarthritis 8.7% to 23.3% 4,5,7,21-25,29,33 .…”

“…For the upper extremity, 13 studies described the prevalence of shoulder and elbow symptoms or injury at 7.1% to 48.5% and 3.1% to 28.3%, respectively 4,5,7,21-25,27,29,33,38,39 . Surgeons experiencing joint pain ranged from 12.8% to 40.4%, shoulder tendinitis/impingement 12.9% to 32.6%, shoulder bursitis 10.6%, rotator cuff pathology 23.9%, and lateral epicondylitis 14.2% to 18.3% 4,5,7,21-25,29,33 . Furthermore, 13 studies estimated the prevalence of wrist/hand symptoms or injury at 10.5% to 54% 4,5,7,9,21-25,27,29,33,36 .…”

“…Prevalence of MSK pain ranged from 67% to 97% 4,25,28,31,32 . Prevalence of MSK diagnoses ranged from 44% to 89.4% 5,7,21-23,27 .…”

“…At the conclusion of screening, 34 articles were included in the present systematic review 4-9,13-40 (Fig. 1).…”

“…1). Eight studies reported on the biomechanical burden of orthopaedic procedures 13-20 , while 26 studies reported on MSK symptoms or injuries experienced by orthopaedic surgeons 4-9,21-40 .…”