Investigation of lateral epicondylitis in neurosurgeons

Abstract

and inappropriate posture, in addition to frequent repetition (4,6,7,18). The prevalence of LE in workers whose jobs require repetitive work ranges from 1.3% to 12.2% (10). LE has been defined as an occupational disease due to its increased workrelated incidence, although its prevalence is low in general population (0.7%-4.0%). LE has been considered, under the category of musculoskeletal diseases, among the top occupational diseases (2,16,18).There have been a limited number of studies investigating occupational diseases in doctors, particularly in surgeons (9,11,13). LE was detected in 13.5% of participants in a study investigating musculoskeletal occupational diseases in plastic surgeons (3). However, there have been no studies of LE in neurosurgeons, even though these professionals use an increasing number of instruments during surgeries. AIM:To investigate the frequency of lateral epicondylitis (LE), depending on the tasks performed by neurosurgeons, and to determine whether it can be accepted as an occupational disease depending on its frequency. MATERIAL and METHODS:All neurosurgery specialists enrolled in the Turkish Neurosurgical Society website were prospectively included. A questionnaire form was shared, and the subsequent responses were recorded. Those who provided incomplete responses were excluded from the study. The respondents diagnosed with LE were recorded. Exclusion criteria were investigated on complaints of pain. They were examined by an orthopedics and traumatology specialist with application of Thomsen test and necessary maneuvers. RESULTS:The study was conducted with 216 neurosurgeons. Those with more than 30 operations per month (p=0.002), those with a specialization duration of 10-20 years and >20 years (p=0.001), and those who specialized in spinal surgery (p=0.014) had a significantly higher prevalence of epicondylitis. Considering the relationship between lumbar/thoracic pedicle screw insertion and epicondylitis, the epicondylitis diagnosis rate was significantly higher in physicians inserting 20-60 screws per month than those inserting <20 screws (p=0.009).CONCLUSION: LE frequently occurs in neurosurgeons who regularly perform spinal instrumentation and appears to be an occupational disease. However, data obtained during the current study should be combined with findings from case-control studies of neurosurgeons.

Work‐relatedness of lateral epicondylitis: Systematic review including meta‐analysis and GRADE work‐relatedness of lateral epicondylitis

“…Exposures combining SI and forearm rotationshould be especially targeted at worksites to reduce the risk of LE. Working populations like neurosurgeons, 37 fruit‐tree farmers, 38 coalminers, 39 and nursery cooks 40 are all examples of jobs in which physical exposure plays an important factor, and therefore, are jobs with a high risk for LE. In contrast, workers in jobs which are characterized by predominantly low force repetitiveness without extreme forearm rotation appear less likely to be at risk for LE.…”

“…Exposures combining SI and forearm rotationshould be especially targeted at worksites to reduce the risk of Working populations like neurosurgeons, 37 fruit-tree farmers, 38 coalminers, 39 and nursery cooks 40…”