The prevalence of thumb problems in Australian physiotherapists is high: an observational study.
OBJECTIVE
What is the lifetime and current prevalence of thumb problems in Australian physiotherapists and what are the factors associated with thumb problems?


METHODS
Survey of a random cross-section of physiotherapists.


METHODS
1562(approximately 10% of the total) registered Australian physiotherapists.


METHODS
General questions covered demographic information, area of practice, hours worked per week, and years worked as a physiotherapist. Specific questions about thumb problems covered thumb affected, symptoms, onset of symptoms, treatment sought, relevance of work-related factors, and joint hypermobility.


RESULTS
1102 (71%) questionnaires were returned and 961 (68%) completed. The lifetime prevalence of thumb problems was 65% and the current prevalence was 41%. Factors that were significantly associated with thumb problems included: working in orthopaedic outpatients (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8 to 5.8); using manual therapy (OR 2.3 to 3.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 5.1), trigger point therapy (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.0) and massage (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6 to 2.8); having thumb joint hypermobility (OR 2.2 to 2.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.5); or an inability to stabilise the joints of the thumb whilst performing physiotherapy techniques (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.9 to 5.9). Of those respondents who reported thumb problems, 19% had changed their area of practice and 4% had left the profession as a result of their thumb problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of thumb problems in Australian physiotherapists appears to be high and can be of sufficient severity to impact on careers.
McMahon
Margaret
M
Physiotherapy Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. mmcmahon@mail.rah.sa.gov.au
Stiller
Kathy
K
Trott
Pat
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D015995:Prevalence; D011363:Professional Impairment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries*; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload