Prevalence of Back and Neck Pain in Orthopaedic Surgeons in Western New York

INTRODUCTION: The physical requirement of orthopaedic surgeons makes them highly vulnerable to musculoskeletal (MSK) injury. Previous studies have shown the prevalence of back and neck pain in orthopaedic surgeons to be approximately 50%. We hypothesize the prevalence of back and neck pain in orthopaedic surgeons in the Western New York region to be similar to what has been previously reported. METHODS: A survey was sent through e-mail to all actively practicing orthopaedic surgeons in Western New York. A total of 94 surgeons were asked to participate, and 53 responded. Data for demographics, back pain, neck pain, and the impact of MSK pain on lifestyle and career practices were collected and compared with previous research. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of respondents reported back pain, whereas 74% reported neck pain, both of which are greater than those seen previously. Sixteen surgeons reported receiving medical treatment currently or in the past for their MSK pain. Fourteen surgeons said that their pain has caused them to adapt their practice and/or operating room setup. CONCLUSION: We found the prevalence of back and neck pain in this population to be higher than that previously reported. Additional investigation into the possible causes of the higher prevalence should include the number of arthroscopic procedures done, the amount of time spent wearing lead vests, and the number of hours spent in the operating room by residents.