Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain among Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Abstract

Purpose: Musculoskeletal pain have been an issue of concern for Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons for a
long time now. The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among oral
and maxillofacial surgeons. Method: A cross sectional Analytic study was implemented. The association
of musculoskeletal pain and posture, loupes and demographic characteristics where explored. Chi-square
analyses were used to compare the different participant responses and the variables and multiple logistic
regression was used to determine the significant relationship. Result: Out of a total of 100 Maxillofacial
Surgeons 96% and 45% reported to always preferably stand during OT procedures and extractions. Lower
back, neck and shoulder were the main regions that pain was reported. Surgeons who opted to sit during
extractions experienced pain in elbow (P=0.009). Lower back and neck pain was found to be more common
among surgeons who does not use loupes which may be due to the tensed flexion activity of the muscle.
Conclusion: Majority of the subjects had pain in the lower back and no statistical association was found out
between age and the incidence of pain. It was also found that majority of the subjects who refrained from
using loupes had experienced pain at multiple sites.