Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Saudi orthopedic surgeons: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction Studies have addressed the issue of increasing prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) pain among different occupations. However, contributing factors to MSK pain have not been fully investigated among orthopaedic surgeons. Thus, this study aimed to approximate the prevalence and predictors of MSK pain among Saudi orthopaedic surgeons working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study using an electronic survey was conducted in Riyadh. The questionnaire was distributed through email among orthopaedic surgeons in Riyadh hospitals. Standardized Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms were used. Descriptive measures for categorical and numerical variables were presented. Student’s t-test and Pearson’s χ2 test were used. The level of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results The response rate was 80.3%, with a total number of 179 of Saudi orthopaedic surgeons (173 males and six females). Of our sample, 67.0% of the respondents complained of having MSK pain. The most commonly reported MSK pain was lower back (74.0%), followed by neck (58.2%). Age and body mass index were implicated in the development of more than one type of MSK pain. Increased years of experience (≥ 6 years) was linked to shoulder/elbow, lower back, and hip/thigh pain. Smoking is widely associated with lower back pain development, whereas physicians who do not smoke and exercise regularly reported fewer pain incidences. Excessive bending and twisting during daily practice have been correlated with increased neck pain. Conclusion MSK pain was found to be common among Saudi orthopaedic surgeons. Further extensive research should be conducted to understand and analyze the risk factors involved and search for possible improvements to avoid further complications. However, ergonomics education during surgical training could be effective at modifying behaviors and reducing MSK pain manifestations.

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“…As orthopedic surgeries are usually required to stand for long hours in the operating room, increase weight could further increase the pressure on the lower limb. Furthermore, we did not find any association between the age, years of experience, marital status, and MSK pain in our study, as conducted in other studies [2,3,6]. No clear association between smoking and MSK pain, which is different from the Al-Mohrej et al study, which suggested a susceptible relationship between smoking,back, and hip/thigh pain in comparison with non-smokers [6].…”

“…Moreover, the effect of MSK pain (49.4%) on surgeons work was low as it affects them less than five times per week in 40and 41% doesn't take any leave due to MSK pain in the last 12 months, while 20.6 of orthopedic surgeons seek medical advice which is lower than prevalence of orthopedic surgeons in Riyadh 30% [6].…”

“…A study showed stretching and strength exercise in a continuous way it could reduce MSK pain. As exercising in daily routine could produce effective lifestyle changes to the physician [6].…”

Research activities and critical appraisal skills among Saudi orthopedic residents

“…The total number of orthopedic surgeons in Saudi Arabia was 2,179 (Both Board certified and still under training). Out of this number, only 189 Board certified orthopedic surgeons are citizens of the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh [ 6 ]. However, the number of orthopedic residents currently under training, in Riyadh, was 191 which is our target population [ 7 ].…”

Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Characteristics Among Female Interventionists

“…Interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, vascular surgery, gastroenterology, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery are specialties that perform interventional procedures which frequently utilize fluoroscopy. Among these fields, physicians commonly reported WMSDs of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, which seemingly correlated with monitor viewing, wearing lead protection, poor posture, and instrument design [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The considerable increase in cervical pain among interventional cardiologists was attributed to the use of fluoroscopic monitors (P < 0.002) [9].…”