Abstract
BackgroundVeterinary work is a physically demanding profession and entails the risk of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, particularly in the upper body. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), the consequences and work-related accidents in German veterinarians were investigated. Work-related and individual factors associated with MSD of upper extremities and the neck were analyzed.MethodsIn 2011, a self-reporting Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was mailed to registered veterinarians in seven federal medical associations in Germany. A total of 3174 (38.4%) veterinarians responded. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between risk factors and MSD-related impairment of daily activities.ResultsMSD in the neck (66.6%) and shoulder (60.5%) were more prevalent than in the hand (34.5%) or elbow (24.5%). Normal activities were affected in 28.7% (neck), 29.5% (shoulder), 19.4% (hand) and 14% (elbow) of the respondents. MSD in the upper body occurred significantly more often in large animal practitioners. Accidents that resulted in MSD were most frequently reported in the hand/wrist (14.3%) or in the shoulder (10.8%). The majority of all accidents in the distal upper extremities were caused by animals than by other factors (19% vs. 9.2%). For each area of the body, a specific set of individual and work-related factors contributed significantly to severe MSD: Older age, gender, previous injuries, BMI, practice type, veterinary procedures such as dentistry, rectal procedures and obstetric procedures as well as high demands and personal burnout.ConclusionFrom the perspective of occupational health and safety, it seems to be necessary to improve accident prevention and to optimize the ergonomics of specific tasks. Our data suggest the need for target group-specific preventive measures that also focus on the psychological factors at work.
Highlights
Recent studies on professional veterinarians have demonstrated that veterinary work is physically demanding and poses an elevated risk of significant injuries [1,2,3,4]
We found that rectal palpations were frequently mentioned as a risk factor for Cumulative Trauma Disorders’’ (CTD) or acute traumatic injury (ATI) in the upper extremities [3,6,13]
Male practitioners significantly more often performed tasks related to a job profile in mixed and large animal practices
Summary
Recent studies on professional veterinarians have demonstrated that veterinary work is physically demanding and poses an elevated risk of significant injuries [1,2,3,4]. Some practitioners work with one or both arms above shoulder level for over one hour daily [7] These postures and movements may be risk factors for the development of MSD in the upper extremities in veterinarians [6,9]. For instance, assumed that an occupational neck- shoulder- and arm-syndrome is significantly associated with continuous or repeated strain from repetitive and forceful motions during veterinary work (e.g. procedures such as rectal examinations or calving) [10]. Such microtrauma or minute injuries from repeatedly overusing a specific part of the body result in conditions called ‘‘Repetitive Strain Injuries’’ or ‘‘Cumulative Trauma Disorders’’ (CTD). Work-related and individual factors associated with MSD of upper extremities and the neck were analyzed
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