Preventive program reduces work-related musculoskeletal disorders in surgeons

Editor's Note

In this multicenter study, a global program based on the application of ergonomics in the OR and specific physical exercises reduced work-related musculoskeletal disorders among surgeons.

A total of 141 surgeons were randomized to either the preventive program (PP) group (65 surgeons) or the no preventive program (NPP) group (76 surgeons).

The PP group followed ergonomic principles in the OR and performed specific physical exercised supervised by a physical therapist.

The PP group had:

• significant improvement in quality of life at 3 and 6 months
• a significant reduction in low back pain (66.2% vs 50.0%) at 6 months
• a significant reduction in analgesic consumption (30.9% vs 15.5%) after 6 months.

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a global program based on ergonomics in the OR and specific physical exercises, the authors say.