Abstract
BackgroundChiropractors are a unique group of health care professionals who are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Diversity of daily practice imposes different physical demands on the chiropractor. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries in chiropractors in eThekwini municipality and selected risk factors associated with these work-related musculoskeletal injuries.MethodsThe design was a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study utilising a self-administered questionnaire, developed specifically for this research. The questionnaire contained sections on personal and practice demographics, with questions pertaining to the single most severe work-related musculoskeletal injury, as well as the second and third most severe work-related musculoskeletal injury.ResultsA response rate of 64% was obtained (n = 62). The life-time prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries was 69% with a predominance of injuries to the upper extremity (50%) and lower back (28.3%). The hand/wrist was the most common anatomical site of injury (31.5%) followed by the lower back (28.3%). Number of years in practice was considered a risk factor as most injuries occurred within the first five years of practice (41.6%). The majority of injuries affected the soft tissue, including ligament sprains (27.5%) and muscle strains (26.6%) and occurred while the practitioner was performing manipulation (38.2%) of the lumbosacral (80.8%) area with the patient in the side posture (61.5%).ConclusionsThe results concur with other studies on work-related musculoskeletal injuries in chiropractors and add insight into risk factors predisposing this population to injury.
Highlights
Chiropractors are a unique group of health care professionals who are at risk for developing workrelated musculoskeletal injuries
Work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSI) are a group of painful complaints involving the muscles, tendons and nerves which occurs in an occupational setting due to physical tasks carried out in normal work activities [1,2,3]
Musculoskeletal disorders may be characterised as episodic disease when pain intensity decreases and increases later on or transient when pain fades with rest or activity modification
Summary
Chiropractors are a unique group of health care professionals who are at risk for developing workrelated musculoskeletal injuries. Work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSI) are a group of painful complaints involving the muscles, tendons and nerves which occurs in an occupational setting due to physical tasks carried out in normal work activities [1,2,3]. Musculoskeletal disorders may be characterised as episodic disease when pain intensity decreases and increases later on or transient when pain fades with rest or activity modification. This depends on the tissue involved and the forces acting upon the body, some musculoskeletal disorders may become persistent or irreversible [1]. Specific musculoskeletal disorders have clear clinical features whereas non-specific musculoskeletal disorders present with pain without evidence of a clear specific disorder.
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 call
