Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Problems among Cobblers in Footwear Repairing Work

Abstract

Cobbling or shoe-repairing is one of the aged old occupations belonging to unorganized sector. Majority of workers are dependent on this occupation for livelihood. The cobblers work in sitting position mainly on the busy routes with congested surroundings. The present study was conducted among 100 cobblers working in Uttarakhand State, India with an objective to find out the musculoskeletal pain or discomfort faced by them during their work. The data was collected using Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results revealed that the cobblers suffered from pain or discomforts in different body regions especially lower back, neck and lower leg. Sitting with folded legs and continuous bending of neck during work were the major reasons of pain/discomfort. Various muscle relaxing exercises can help the cobblers to overcome the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Further, an ergonomic workstation design will help in improving their workplace wellbeing.

Prevalence of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis in Cobblers

“…[14] According to the Pandey D et al study, the lower back, shoulder, neck, wrist and hand were the most commonly affected areas in cobblers. [8] The study done by Le Manac'H et al showed a strong and consistent association between DQD and sustained or repeated wrist bending and twisting. This confirms results for hand-wrist tendinitis observed among workers highly exposed to wrist flexion/extension, pronation/supination and, more generally, sustained or repeated postures of the hand and wrist, with influence of postural factors risk of DQD claims to be higher than other upper-extremity MSD in this population.…”

“…This posture forces the head and trunk to remain in forward inclined causing excessive load on the worker's body. [8] Diagnosis is generally concluded by a positive Finkelstein's test which involves thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint flexion with a clenched fist combined with an active or passive wrist ulnar deviation which causes reproduction of pain at the radial styloid process, which is caused due to restricted gliding of APL and EPB tendons. It's the most standard finding.…”