Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in physical therapists: Prevalence,severity, risks, and responses

Background and Purpose. Physical therapists are at risk for work-related mu sculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Little is known of how therapists respond to injury or of what actions they take to prevent injury. The purpose of th is study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of WMSDs in physica l therapists, contributing risk factors, and their responses to injury. Sub jects. As part of a larger study, a systematic sample of 1 in 4 therapists on a state register (n=824) was surveyed. Methods. An 8-page questionnaire was mailed to each subject. Questions investigated musculoskeletal symptoms , specialty areas, tasks and job-related risk factors, injury prevention st rategies, and responses to injury. Results. Lifetime prevalence of WMSDs wa s 91%, and 1 in 6 physical therapists moved within or left the profession a s a result of WMSDs. Younger therapists reported a higher prevalence of WMS Ds in most body areas. Use of mobilization and manipulation techniques was related to increased prevalence of thumb symptoms. Risk factors pertaining to workload were related to a higher prevalence of neck and upper-limb symp toms, and postural risk factors were related to a higher prevalence of spin al symptoms. Conclusion and Discussion. Strategies used to reduce work-rela ted injury in industry may also apply to physical therapists. Increased ris k of thumb symptoms associated with mobilization techniques suggests that f urther research is needed to establish recommendations for practice. The is sues for therapists who move within or leave the profession are unknown, an d further research is needed to better understand their needs and experienc es.