P36
CASE STUDY: DOC, HELP ME, MY THUMB HURTS!
J. W. Lim, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Background:
A 31-year-old Orthopaedic Diagnostic Technician (ODT) from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, right hand dominant, was referred from the Staff Clinic to the Occupational Medicine Clinic for right thumb pain aggravated by work for two weeks. He was diagnosed with right thumb intrinsic muscle strain by a hand surgeon.
Aims:
To investigate root causes of thumb pain for this sentinel case and to recommend preventive measures to protect other ODTs from similar work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD).
Methods:
The job description (JD) of ODT was obtained from his line manager. A workplace assessment was arranged to understand the work processes of ODT and the associated hazards. Active case finding was conducted at the same time during the workplace visit. Preventive measures were recommended to ODTs on how to prevent WRMSD in the future following workplace assessment.
Results:
JD the manager provided was generic and not very useful in understanding the occupational risk associated with this job. Workplace visits revealed a lack of awareness and incorrect ergonomic practices were associated with thumb pain with this index case. An interview of co-workers also discovered that 6 out of 7 (85%) ODTs have musculoskeletal complaints, affecting mainly the thumbs and wrists, except most of their symptoms were mild without the need to seek medical consultation. Preventive measures, mainly using engineering and administrative controls are recommended by the ergonomist to protect them against WRMSD.
Conclusions:
Workplace assessment is useful for investigating underlying risk factors and recommending appropriate preventive measures unique to ODT.
References:
- Pleho, D., Mačak Hadžiomerović, A. ., Pleho, K. ., Pleho, J. ., Remić, D., Arslanagić, D., Lazić, M., & Alibegović, A. (2021). Work Caused Musculoskeletal Disorders in Health Professionals. Journal of Health Sciences, 11(1), 7–16.
- Silver, J. K., & Rozmaryn, L. M. (1998). Overuse tendinitis of the intrinsic muscles. Orthopedics, 21(8), 891-893.
