Abstract
BackgroundLeg pain, especially of the knees and hips, is common among senior workers and may limit the ability to perform physically demanding work. In light of the aging workforce, this study determined the joint association of physical work demands and leg pain intensity for work-limiting pain in senior workers.MethodsCurrently employed senior workers (≥50 years) participated in the SeniorWorkingLife study in 2018 (n = 12,879). Associations between the combination of physical work demands and leg pain intensity (interaction) with work-limiting pain (outcome) were modeled using binary logistic regression analyses while controlling for potential covariates.ResultsWe found a significant interaction (P < 0.001) between physical work demands and leg pain intensity for work-limiting pain. The combination of higher physical work demands and higher leg pain intensity had the worst outcome in terms of the odds of experiencing work-limiting pain. For example, 70% of those with the combination of high physical work demands and leg pain intensity ≥7 (scale 0–10) experienced that the pain limited them to at least some degree in their work.ConclusionsThe combination of high physical work demands and high leg pain intensity are associated with limited ability to perform work among senior workers. These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing the physical work environment in physically demanding occupations, particularly among senior workers, for prolonging working life. Thus, adjusting the work demands, e.g. through use of assistive devices, and lowering the pain, e.g. through physical rehabilitation, may be necessary to sustain work ability to a high age in this group of workers.Trial registrationThis was registered as a cohort study in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03634410) on the 18th of August 2018 (Retrospectively registered).
Highlights
Leg pain, especially of the knees and hips, is common among senior workers and may limit the ability to perform physically demanding work
Recent research reviews indicate that knee−/hip osteoarthritis and other lower body Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have received less attention in research in work environmental rehabilitation than low-back and neck-shoulder pain [3]. The reason for this may be that lower body MSD is less prevalent in the working population as a whole, and largely overseen as a problem in specific target groups such as older [2, 4] and female workers [4,5,6], who are generally more affected by MSDs like low-back pain and osteoarthritis
Selfreported work limitation due to musculoskeletal pain has previously been associated with a 54% increased risk of long-term sickness absence [16], emphasizing the relation between MSDs, health, and work
Summary
Especially of the knees and hips, is common among senior workers and may limit the ability to perform physically demanding work. Recent research reviews indicate that knee−/hip osteoarthritis and other lower body MSD have received less attention in research in work environmental rehabilitation than low-back and neck-shoulder pain [3]. The reason for this may be that lower body MSD is less prevalent in the working population as a whole, and largely overseen as a problem in specific target groups such as older [2, 4] and female workers [4,5,6], who are generally more affected by MSDs like low-back pain and osteoarthritis. Selfreported work limitation due to musculoskeletal pain has previously been associated with a 54% increased risk of long-term sickness absence [16], emphasizing the relation between MSDs, health, and work
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
