Prevalence of Work-Related Thumb Pain in Physiotherapists

Abstract

Background: Physiotherapy is associated with job tasks that are physically challenging and some of the routine procedures include manual therapy and soft tissue mobilizations which require higher levels of force and may be performed in hazardous or awkward postures. This study was done to find out the prevalence of work-related thumb pain amongst Physiotherapists and also to assess the awareness about the thumb pain and ergonomic strategies to reduce the same. Objectives: 1. To find the prevalence of Work-Related Thumb Pain (WRTP) in Physiotherapists 2. To assess the awareness of ergonomics related to WRTP in Physiotherapists 3. To find the coping strategies used by the Physiotherapists for WRTP Methods: 94 Physiotherapists from various setups in Pune city, with a basic qualification in B.P.Th. having a work experience of minimum 2 years and having minimum 20 hours of clinical duties per week and performing manual therapy techniques on patients were included in the study. Results: The overall prevalence came to 68.1%. 94.7% of the respondents were aware about the ergonomic strategies to prevent/reduce thumb pain and 5.3% were not aware about the same. Multiple coping strategies were used by the Physiotherapists, of which changing or modifying their treatment, modifying either the patient’s position or their position, asking to help handle a heavy patient were the most common ones. Conclusion: This study indicates that thumb problems are common in Physiotherapists. Key words: Physiotherapists, thumb pain, ergonomic strategies, coping strategies.