Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in orthopedic surgeons of India
Arvind Vatkar, Ankit Gaurav, Vishal Kumar, Sarvdeep Singh Dhatt, Biswajit Sahu, Arindaam Arjunrao Pol, Ajaypal Singh, Sachin KaleAbstract
Purpose:
To determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) spinal pain among Indian orthopedic surgeons.
Materials and Methods:
An online cross-sectional survey using Google Forms was distributed to orthopedic residents and consultant surgeons across India through email and social media platforms. A total of 231 responses were received. After excluding 13 duplicate entries, data from 218 surgeons were included in the final analysis.
Results:
Back pain was reported by 66% of respondents, while 43% reported neck pain. Approximately one-third of surgeons had sought medical treatment for MSK pain, although only 8% were receiving active treatment at the time of the survey. Fatigue was reported by 66% of respondents, and 22% reported modifying their clinical practice because of pain-related issues. A statistically significant correlation was observed between perceived stress levels and neck pain. Prolonged standing during surgical procedures was associated with greater back pain intensity.
Conclusion:
Work-related neck and back pain are highly prevalent among Indian orthopedic surgeons. Further research is needed to better understand occupational hazards and contributory workplace practices. Incorporating ergonomic principles into surgical training, along with timely recognition and management of MSK symptoms, may help mitigate these risks.