Low back pain: An overview in the Gold Mining Industry in South Africa

Abstract

An analysis of the occurrence of low back pain in the Gold Mining Industry was done retrospectively by the author for a period of one year using the patients' physiotherapy treatment cards for information. The most common mechanism of injury was identified as spontaneous onset of low back pain and the highest risk occupations were drillers, mining team and scraper/winch operators. The treatment protocol which the physiotherapy department follows as well as the outcome of the programme are described.