Document Detail


The prevalence of thumb problems in Australian physiotherapists is high: an observational study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17132124     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
QUESTION: What is the lifetime and current prevalence of thumb problems in Australian physiotherapists and what are the factors associated with thumb problems? DESIGN: Survey of a random cross-section of physiotherapists. PARTICIPANTS: 1562(approximately 10% of the total) registered Australian physiotherapists. OUTCOME MEASURES: General questions covered demographic information, area of practice, hours worked per week, and years worked as a physiotherapist. Specific questions about thumb problems covered thumb affected, symptoms, onset of symptoms, treatment sought, relevance of work-related factors, and joint hypermobility. RESULTS: 1102 (71%) questionnaires were returned and 961 (68%) completed. The lifetime prevalence of thumb problems was 65% and the current prevalence was 41%. Factors that were significantly associated with thumb problems included: working in orthopaedic outpatients (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8 to 5.8); using manual therapy (OR 2.3 to 3.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 5.1), trigger point therapy (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.0) and massage (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6 to 2.8); having thumb joint hypermobility (OR 2.2 to 2.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.5); or an inability to stabilise the joints of the thumb whilst performing physiotherapy techniques (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.9 to 5.9). Of those respondents who reported thumb problems, 19% had changed their area of practice and 4% had left the profession as a result of their thumb problems. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of thumb problems in Australian physiotherapists appears to be high and can be of sufficient severity to impact on careers.
Authors:
Margaret McMahon; Kathy Stiller; Pat Trott
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Australian journal of physiotherapy     Volume:  52     ISSN:  0004-9514     ISO Abbreviation:  Aust J Physiother     Publication Date:  2006  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-11-29     Completed Date:  2007-01-23     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370615     Medline TA:  Aust J Physiother     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  287-92     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Physiotherapy Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. mmcmahon@mail.rah.sa.gov.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Australia / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Joint Instability / epidemiology*,  etiology,  physiopathology*
Male
Middle Aged
Musculoskeletal Manipulations
Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*,  etiology,  physiopathology
Odds Ratio
Physical Therapy (Specialty) / manpower*
Physical Therapy Modalities
Prevalence
Professional Impairment
Risk Factors
Thumb / injuries*
Workload

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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