Abstract
Background context: The ergonomic effects of headgear on spine surgeons are poorly understood. Assessment of cervical degenerative disease resulting from prolonged use of loupes and/or headlights was performed via data drawn from spine surgeons. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 54 fellowship trained spine surgeons. Part one assessed the current level of neck pain compared to prior to residency. The amount of exposure to headgear usage was determined using this formula for headgear hours: Headgear Hours=Years in practice * Number of months per year of headgear usage * Number of cases per month * Number of hours per case. Part two assessed whether a specific diagnosis or treatment associated with neck symptoms was rendered or received. The respondents were placed into two groups for comparison: Group A (non- or infrequent users of headgear), Group B (frequent users). Results: 28 of the 41 (68%) surgeons in Group B experienced worsening of their neck symptoms since the start of their residency versus 5 of the 13 (38%) in Group A (p=0.027). Only 1 surgeon from group A was diagnosed with a degenerative cervical disorder compared to 14 from Group B. Conclusions: Neck pain among spine surgeons is not uncommon. Poor ergonomics during surgery combined with frequent headgear use may contribute to increased neck pain and cervical degenerative disease.
Highlights
Ergonomic awareness is important for surgeons as equipment used to optimize intraoperative visualization often distributes substantial musculoskeletal forces on the axial skeletons of surgeons
In addition to loupes for magnification used by dentists, many spine surgeons use powerful headlights to illuminate the operative field
It is designed to test the correlation of the use of headgear with neck symptoms
Summary
Ergonomic awareness is important for surgeons as equipment used to optimize intraoperative visualization often distributes substantial musculoskeletal forces on the axial skeletons of surgeons. Epidemiologic studies have reported a 70% prevalence of neck pain among dentists who use loupe magnification [3,4]. Biomechanical studies show that this position increases disc pressures within the cervical spine which may, in turn, lead to degenerative neck disease [5]. This questionnaire is part of a study on the prevalence of degenerative neck problems in spine surgeons. THE RISK OF DEVELOPING CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS INCREASES WITH THE USE OF HEADGEAR (LOUPES AND/OR HEADLIGHT). Assessment of cervical degenerative disease resulting from prolonged use of loupes and/or headlights was performed via data drawn from spine surgeons
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
