Abstract
Objective. This study aims to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in prosthetists/orthotists working in Australia. Secondary to this, the relationship between work-related hazards and work-related musculoskeletal disorders will be examined. Methods. In 2012, a self-report survey was conducted with the prosthetist/orthotist workforce in Australia (N = 139, 56% response rate). Data on workplace physical and psychosocial hazards, job satisfaction, work–life balance and musculoskeletal discomfort were collected. Predictors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 80%. Gender (β = 1.31, p = 0.030), total weekly hours (β = 0.9, p < 0.010) and physical (β = 1.91, p < 0.010) and psychosocial (β = 1.28, p < 0.010) hazards were all associated with reporting of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Females reported higher levels of work-related musculoskeletal disorder discomfort than males in all body areas. Conclusions. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders prevalence is high in prosthetists/orthotists. This suggests that focus on workplace injury prevention is required. Targeted prevention requires systematic identification and then control of all relevant workplace hazards.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.