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- Title
Prevalence of work-related hands disorders of physiotherapists.
- Authors
Gabriela, Škrečková; Matúš, Kozel; Eva, Lukáčová; Ľudmila, Miženková
- Abstract
Introduction: This study examines the prevalence of hand and wrist symptoms and diagnosed disorders in physiotherapists in Slovakia. The aim was to identify risk factors such as workplace type, number of patients treated per day, and years of clinical practice and to determine preferred methods of treatment. Material and methods: The group of 107 physiotherapists (28 men and 79 women) participated in the study. All participants completed a questionnaire created for the purpose. It contained demographic data, years of clinical practice, and the questions to determine the presence of various symptoms and injuries to the hand and wrist due to a long-lasting overuse of the hand musculoskeletal system. Results: Twelve (11.2%) physiotherapists of the observed group did not show any symptoms of functional impairment, and 32 (29.9%) were without any specific hand or wrist disorders. The results confirmed a significant prevalence of symptoms of functional impairment (ø 2.4) and disorders (ø 1.3) with an increased risk in the physiotherapists working in a combined type of workplace (out-patient physical therapy and hospital facilities). The most frequently reported symptoms were hand pain (70%) and reduced muscle strength (45.7%). The most frequently reported diagnosed disorder was hand tendonitis (26.2%). The results confirmed the statistically significant correlation (a = 0.05) between the years of clinical practice and the number of identified symptoms and disorders (p<0.001) as well as between the number of patients treated per day and the number of symptoms (p=0.007). Hand immobilization (28.6%) and manual therapy (24.4%) were preferred methods of treatment. Surgical intervention was required in 2.2% of hand injuries. Conclusions: In physiotherapists, long-term performance of manual techniques indicates the development of musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and wrist.
- Subjects
SLOVAKIA; HAND abnormalities; WORK-related injuries; PHYSICAL therapists; DISEASE prevalence; WORK environment
- Publication
European Journal of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, 2024, p100
- ISSN
2544-2406
- Publication type
Article