Occupational musculoskeletal pain amongst ENT surgeons - are we looking at the tip of an iceberg?
OBJECTIVE
Surgeons are exposed to a variety of occupational risks, including work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study investigated the prevalence of these latter disorders amongst UK ENT surgeons and compared this with the existing literature.


METHODS
A survey containing questions on work-related musculoskeletal disorders was distributed to the entire membership of ENT-UK electronically, with the assistance of its Survey Guardian. A literature review on the subject was then performed.


RESULTS
A total of 323 completed questionnaires were received (a 24 per cent response rate). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders had been experienced by 47.4 per cent of respondents. There were no statistical differences between the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and: grade, length of time spent in the specialty or the subspecialty of respondents. Eighty-five per cent of affected surgeons sought treatment, with 22.9 per cent taking time off work and six surgeons retiring early. The literature review only identified five related studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the scarcity of studies, work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common amongst ENT surgeons in the UK. Such disparity highlights the need for more research and appropriate ergonomic intervention within the specialty.
Department of ENT,Ipswich Hospital,UK.
A
A
Vijendren
Department of ENT,Ipswich Hospital,UK.
M
M
Yung
Department of Occupational Health,Ipswich Hospital,UK.
J
J
Sanchez
Department of Physiotherapy,Ipswich Hospital,UK.
K
K
Duffield
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010036:Otolaryngology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D015995:Prevalence; D012179:Retirement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D000700:Analgesics
Musculoskeletal Pain; Occupational Injuries; Occupational Safety; Otorhinolaryngology