Occupational Hazards for the Practicing Orthopaedic Surgeon: A Standard Review

Abstract

Orthopaedic surgeons are exposed to various occupational hazards in a busy daily practice which can cause potential physical injury and additional mental stress. By better understanding the hazards that are faced in the operating theater and the preventive measures that can be taken to avoid injury, orthopaedic surgeons can remain effective in their patient care duties. Infectious exposures, radiation exposure, noise pollution, chemical hazards, and physical demands are frequently encountered at the time of surgery and should be attenuated or avoided when possible. Simple preventive measures can prolong careers and protect the operating surgeon from musculoskeletal injuries and even solid organ damage and malignancy. Important consideration should be taken to recognize potential occupational hazards and act prophylactically before injury has occurred, and constant vigilance is required to avoid additive injury over time from physical and chemical insults. Level of Evidence: Level V O rthopaedic surgeons face many occupational hazards daily, and it is of paramount importance to be aware of and understand how to mitigate potential injuries. Total costs from all occupational injuries can exceed $190 billion annually in the United States inclusive of necessary health care and lost productivity. 1 Although not specific to orthopaedic surgeons, recent statistics highlight the dangers that surgeons face, indicating that work in a hospital setting may contribute to more nonfatal occupational injuries than even employment in construction or manufacturing. Indeed, of 313 total industries surveyed, the hospital industry ranks as the third most expensive when considering economic losses from occupational injuries. 2 General awareness and prevention of occupational safety among orthopaedic surgeons have increased in recent years, but there are many subtle occupational dangers that often go unnoticed and can be difficult to modify. Infectious exposure from sharp instruments or needles, physical insults such as radiation or noise pollution, and chemical exposure from inhalants or topical substances are some of the inherent hazards of participating in surgery. The purpose of this review article was to not only inform surgeons of these hazards Kishan Patel, DO Hyrum Judd, DO

Defining tennis elbow characteristics – The assessment of magnetic resonance imaging defined tendon pathology in an asymptomatic population

“…Increased rates of LET and other musculoskeletal conditions among orthopaedic surgeons have been described previously in the literature. [35][36][37] In our study male volunteers appeared almost twice as likely to have asymptomatic MRI findings than females (Table 5). This is contrary to several population studies which have shown a higher prevalence of symptomatic LET in females than males, [38][39][40] despite others suggesting there is no significant association between LET and sex.…”

“…Increased rates of LET and other musculoskeletal conditions among orthopaedic surgeons have been described previously in the literature. 35–37…”