Nl. Holder et al., Cause, prevalence, and response to occupational musculoskeletal injuries reported by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, PHYS THER, 79(7), 1999, pp. 642-652
Background and Purpose. Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist as
sistants (PTAs) are susceptible to occupational musculoskeletal injuries. T
he purpose of this study was to examine the reported causes and prevalence
of occupational musculoskeletal injuries to PTs and PTAs during a 2-year pe
riod. Subjects. A questionnaire was mailed to 500 PTs and 500 PTAs randomly
selected from the American Physical Therapy Association 1996 active member
ship list. Six hundred sixty-seven questionnaires were returned, giving a r
esponse rate of 67%. Method. Based on a literature review and a pilot study
, an occupational injury questionnaire was constructed and mailed. Self-rep
orts of injuries were obtained. Results. Thirty-two percent of the PTs and
35% of the PTAs reported sustaining a musculoskeletal injury. The highest p
revalence of injury was to the low back (62% of injured PTs and 56% of inju
red PTAs). The PTs reported the upper back and the wrist and hand as having
the second highest prevalence (23%). The PTAs reported the upper hack as h
aving the second highest prevalence (28%). The PTs and PTAs reported making
changes in their work habits of improved body mechanics, increased use of
other personnel, and frequent change of work position. The majority of PTs
and PTAs reported they did not Limit patient contact time or area of practi
ce after sustaining an injury. Conclusion and Discussion. Although PTs and
PTAs are recognized to be knowledgeable in prevention and treatment of musc
uloskeletal injuries, they are susceptible to sustaining occupational muscu
loskeletal injuries because of performing labor-intensive tasks.