Risk factors for hip problems among assembly plant workers.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the relative contributions of work activity (time spent standing, walking or sitting), floor surface characteristics, weight, BMI, age, foot biomechanics, and other demographic and medical history factors to the prevalence of hip disorders.


METHODS
A cross-sectional observational study design was used to engine assembly plant workers. The main outcome measure was the finding of a hip disorder. The independent variables included baseline demographics, medical history, ergonomic exposures, psychosocial factors, shoe characteristics and foot biomechanics.


RESULTS
Logistic regression revealed that increasing age, female gender, pes planus, smoking, history of a knee or hip injury, and a history of rheumatoid arthritis were significant risk factors while time on carpeted surfaces was protective.


CONCLUSIONS
Hip disorders are associated with a history of biomechanical trauma to the hip but also from gait abnormalities such as pes planus.
Werner
Robert A
RA
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. rawerner@umich.edu
Gell
Nancy
N
Hartigan
Anne
A
Wiggermann
Neal
N
Keyserling
Monroe
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001336:Automobiles; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D025981:Hip Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult