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PHYS THER
Vol. 88, No. 7, July 2008, p. 887
DOI: 10.2522/ptj.2008.88.7.887.1
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Letters and Responses

On "Work-related musculoskeletal disorders..." Campo MA, et al. Phys Ther. 2008;88:608–609.


Thank you for your exceptional study1 that brings work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in physical therapists out of the closet. It is particularly relevant to my own situation because, after 20 years of providing physical therapy for people with spinal cord and brain injuries, I suffered career-ending ligamentous wrist injuries. I fit the profile of the therapist who was embarrassed to admit an injury, who continued to work after warning signs appeared, who worried about making situations difficult for my patients and colleagues, and who then felt guilt for using the workers’ compensation system. I was passionate about my work, and it was a devastating loss. And, it was a surprise! Somehow I had no idea I was so at risk (back, yes; wrists, no). I thought: this must happen all the time; "someone" needs to know.

Regarding the results of your study, I am interested in specifics about the lack of wrist and hand injuries related to transfers and patient handling. Those activities—along with management of abnormal tone, balance, motor paresis, and so forth—are what led to my own wrist injuries. What were the employment settings for the cohort of physical therapists who had wrist injuries related to transfers and handling? Was there a correlation between number of years doing the same job? (And were they obsessively making micromillimeter adjustments in the seating position of their patients with C4 quadriplegia?) Understandably, a study can only be specific about a limited number of variables.

The outcome and relevance of your study is important, and I agree that more research is needed, not only to document prevalence of WMSDs but also to (1) document the benefits of prevention, education, and sensitivity to the physical therapy culture that contributes to WMSDs, and (2) provide specific ways to address how we do what we do. What type of "fixes" are physical therapists with WMSDs getting, and what are the outcomes? (For my wrists: 6 surgeries on the right, 3 surgeries on the left, and a total fusion still on the way, all after conservative measures failed.) In my opinion, screening physical therapists for vulnerability to injury would be helpful; however, what are the implications for physical therapists who are found to be vulnerable?

I recently completed my tDPT at Boston University and used this topic for my first paper. I am impressed with your study. Thank you for your excellent publication.

Susan W Halloran

SW Halloran, PT, DPT, is Clinical Instructor and Assistant Recruitment Coordinator, University of Colorado Denver Health Science Center, Aurora, CO.


  Footnotes
 
This letter was posted as a Rapid Response on May 1, 2008, at www.ptjournal.org.

Reference

  1. Campo M, Weiser S, Koenig KL, Nordin M. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in physical therapists: a prospective cohort study. Phys Ther. 2008;88:608–619.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

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This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted
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Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
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Right arrow Download to citation manager
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Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Halloran, S. W
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Halloran, S. W
Related Collections
Right arrow Musculoskeletal System/Orthopedic: Other
Right arrow Professional Issues
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Complore   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
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