Work-Related Knee Disorders in Floor Layers and Carpenters

Abstract

Previous studies indicate an increased prevalence of knee disorders in some occupations possibly related to kneeling working positions. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among knee-straining work, self-reported knee-complaints, and physical signs of knee disorders. The duration of knee-straining work was estimated from videotapes of representative work tasks. Floor layers (n = 133), carpenters (n = 506), and compositors (n = 327) aged 26 to 72 years without previous acute knee traumas were examined in a cross-sectional study by questionnaire. A stratified random sample of the questionnaire responders; 67 floor layers, 127 carpenters, and 101 compositors had independent double examinations for physical signs of knee disorders. The videotapes showed that knee-straining work constituted 56% of working time for floor layers, 26% for carpenters, and none for compositors. The prevalences of self-reported knee-complaints were positively associated with the amount of knee-straining work and were significantly different for the three trades. Floor layers and carpenters who were presently working in their trade had a higher prevalence of knee complaints than floor layers and carpenters who had left their trade. Age, seniority, weight, body mass index, smoking, and knee-straining sports activity had no significant effects. The clinical study showed a positive association for knee-straining work, hyperkeratosis, and bursitis. A similar pattern was found for signs of intraarticular knee disorders by one physician but not by another. The reproducibility of these signs was low. More studies are needed to define clinically important knee disorders for epidemiological studies.

Assessment of occupational health problems and physiological stress among the brick field workers of West Bengal, India

“…This study also revealed that brick field workers felt discomfort in their knees due to kneeling for a prolonged period of time during molding, during loading and unloading the mud and bricks, and while setting the green bricks in the kiln. Jensen et al support this result [16]. According to them, the prevalence of knee disorders in some occupations was possibly related to kneeling working postures.…”

An Ergonomics Study on Posture-Related Discomfort and Occupational-Related Disorders Among Stonecutters of West Bengal, India

“…Jensen, Mikkelsen, Loft, et al support this result [13]. According to Jensen et al, prevalence of knee disorders in some occupations was possibly related to kneeling working postures [13].…”

Knee Disorders Among Carpenters in the St. Louis Area

“…Knee disorders produce costly disability to construction workers and result in their early departure from work [1,2]. Carpenters are one of the most common trades in the construction industry that have experienced this specific misfortune.…”

“…Carpenters are one of the most common trades in the construction industry that have experienced this specific misfortune. In particular, floor and carpet layers, some of whom belong to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America [3], usually spend a great amount of their working time in knee-straining positions, including kneeling, knee-supporting (weight-bearing on the knees), and squatting [2,[4][5][6]. In addition to prolonged and awkward knee postures, the repetitive operation of the knee-kicker causes a great direct impact to the knee joint [7,8].…”