title: [The prevalence of spondylopathies among the crane operators in the port of Venice].
abstract: A group of 78 crane operators were examined using the "EPM Research Unit" method for assessing spine function. Crane operators work in a fixed posture characterized by a flexed position of the cervical spine, isometric load of the extensor cervical muscles and increased dorsal kyphosis. The prevalence of spinal disorders was 39.7% for the cervical tract, 37.2% for the dorsal tract and 38.5% for the lumbar region. The results were compared with those concerning a control group. A statistically significant difference was found in the number of cervical and dorsal complaints (O.R. = 3.33 and 2.69), whereas the difference was nearly significant for the lumbar tract (O.R. = 1.65). The results suggest that this category of workers may be subject to an increased risk for the spine.
authors.affiliation: ULSS 36, Servizio di Medicina del Lavoro, Marghera.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piccinni
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marchì
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magarotto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*