Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Injuries: Differences Among Older and Younger Occupational and Physical Therapists

  • Published:
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction Occupational and physical therapists are at significant risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. As the therapy workforce ages, and shortages of therapists are predicted, it is important to evaluate differences in injuries and injury behaviors between older and younger therapists. Methods Half of all occupational and physical therapists practicing in Wisconsin were randomly selected for a cross sectional study examining the relationship between aging and characteristics of self-reported work injuries and musculoskeletal symptoms. Results Data from a sample of 1,158 therapists revealed older workers to have similar injury incidence rates, however, days away from work due to injury were higher among older workers. Overall, older and younger therapists were more similar than different, especially in regards to work behaviors. Older therapists tended to report more severe pain symptoms than younger therapists and were two and a half times more likely to report that they changed jobs due to their pain symptoms. Conclusions Older and younger therapists have similar work-related injury experiences. Older workers may be more vulnerable to lost work time and may experience more severe pain symptoms. Many interventions exist to prevent work-related injuries to therapists and more guidance in the best way to integrate these interventions (e.g., mechanical lift devices) into therapy practice is needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Campo M, Weiser S, Koenig K, Nordin M. Work related musculoskeletal disorders in physical therapists: a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow up. Phys Ther. 2008;88:608–19.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Darragh AR, Huddleston W, King P. Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders among occupational and physical therapists. Am J Occup Ther. 2009;63:351–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Holder N, Clark H, Diblasio J, Hughes C, Scherpf J, Harding L, et al. Cause, prevalence, and response to occupational musculoskeletal injuries reported by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Phys Ther. 1999;79:642–52.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Waldrop S. Work-related injuries: preventing the PT from becoming the patient. PT Mag Phys Ther. 2004;12:34–41.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bork BE, Cook TM, Rosencrance JC, et al. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists. Phys Ther. 1996;76:827–35.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Cromie JE, Robertson VJ, Best MO. Work related musculoskeletal disorders in physical therapists: prevalence, severity, risks and responses. Phys Ther. 2000;80:336–51.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Glover W, McGregor A, Sullivan C, Hague J. Work-realted musculoskeletal disorders affecting members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy. 2005;91:138–47. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2005.06.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. West DJ, Gardner D. Occupational injuries of physiotherapists in North and Central Queensland. Aust J Physiother. 2001;47:179–86.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mierzejewski M, Kumar S. Prevalence of low back pain among physical therapists in Edmonton, Canada. Disabil Rehabil. 1997;19:309–17.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Molumphy M, Unger B, Jensen GM, Lopopolo RB. Incidence of work-related low back pain in physical therapists. Phys Ther. 1985;65:482–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. BLS. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). 2008. http://www.bls.gov/jlt/. Accessed 6 May 2008.

  12. HermanMiller for Healthcare.[homepage on the internet]. Michigan:Herman Miller. c.2008. Research Summaries: Ergonomics: Good news for healthcare workers, 2003. http://www.hermanmiller.com/hm/content/research_summaries/pdfs/wp_ergogoodnews0503.pdf. Accessed January 21 2008.

  13. Li J, Wolf L, Evanoff B. Use of mechanical patient lifts decreased musculoskeletal symptoms and injuries among health care workers. Injury Prevention. 2004;* 10:212–216.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Waters T, Collins J, Galinsky T, Caruso C. NIOSH research efforts to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in the healthcare industry. Orthop Nurs. 2006;25:380–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Menzel NN, Brooks SM, Bernard TE, Nelson A. The physical workload of nursing personnel: association with musculoskeletal comfort. Int J Nurs Stud. 2004;41:859–67. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2004.03.012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bls.gov.[homepage on Internet] Washington, DC; US Bureau of Labor Statistics; c.2004. http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcdnew.htm#04b. Accessed 1 may 2009.

  17. American Occupational Therapy Association. 2006 AOTA workforce and compensation survey: occupational therapy salaries and job opportunities continue to improve. OT Pract. 2006;11:10–2. Electronic Version.

    Google Scholar 

  18. APTA.org [homepage on the Internet] Virginia: American Physical Therapy Association; c2007. http://www.apta.org. Accessed 2008 Jan 21.

  19. Fullerton FN, Toossi M. Labor force projections to 2010: steady growth and changing composition. Mon Labor Rev [serial on the Internet]. 2001. 124: [about 17 p.]. http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2001/11/art2full.pdf. Accessed 2008 Jan 21.

  20. Toossi M. Labor force projections to 2012: the graying of the US workforce. Mon Labor Rev [serial on the Internet]. 2004;127: [about 57 p.]. http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2004/02/art3full.pdf. Accessed 2008 Jan 21.

  21. http://cdc.gov/niosh [Internet Homepage]. Worker Health Chartbook.c.2004. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-146/default.htm. Accessed 1 May 2005.

  22. state.nj.us/health [homepage on the Internet] New Jersey: New Jersey Department of Occupational Health; c1996. http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/survweb. Updated 2008 Sep 05; Accessed 2008 Jan 21.

  23. Garg A. Ergonomics and the older worker: an overview. Exp Aging Res. 1991;17:143–55.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Thomas SA, Browning CJ, Greenwood KM. Rehabilitation of older injured workers. Disabil Rehabil. 1994;16:162–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Breslin FC, Smith P. Age related differences in work injuries: a multivariate, population based study. Am J Ind Med. 2005;48:50–6. doi:10.1002/ajim.20185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Salminen S. Have young workers more injuries than older ones: an international literature review. J Safety Res. 2004;35:513–21. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2004.08.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Rix SE. Health and safety issues in an aging workforce. AARP Issue Brief 49. Washington, DC: AARP; 2001. p. 1–16.

  28. Pransky GS, Benjamin KL, Savageau JA, Currivan D, Fletcher K. Outcomes in work-related injuries: a comparison of older and younger workers. Am J Ind Med. 2005;47:104–12. doi:10.1002/ajim.20122.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. BLS.gov.[homepage on Internet] Washington, DC; US Bureau of Labor Statistics; c2002. http://stats.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoil.htm. Accessed 2008 Jan 21.

  30. Bell CA, Stout NA, Bender TR, Conroy CS, Crouse WE, Myers JR. Fatal occupational injuries in the United States, 1980–1985. J Am Med Assoc. 1990;263:3047–50. doi:10.1001/jama.263.22.3047.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Goldberg RL, Bernstein L, Garabrant DH, Peters JM. Fatal occupational injuries in California, 1972–1983. Am J Ind Med. 1989;15:177–85. doi:10.1002/ajim.4700150206.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Rogers E, Wiatrowski W. Injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among older workers. Mon Labor Rev. 2005;128:24–30.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Mitchell O. The relation of age to work-place injuries. Mon Labor Rev. 1988;111: [about 5 p.]. http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1988/07/art2full.pdf. Accessed 2008 Jan 21.

  34. Laflamme L, Menckel E. Aging and occupational accidents: a review of the literature of the last three decades. Saf Sci. 1995;21:145–61. doi:10.1016/0925-7535(95)00059-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Zwerling C, Sprince N, Wallace R, David C, Whitten P, Heeringa S. Risk factors for occupational injuries among older workers: an analysis of the Health and Retirement Study. Am J Public Health. 1996;86:1306–9. doi:10.2105/AJPH.86.9.1306.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Benjamin K, Pransky G. Occupational injuries and the older worker: challenges in research, policy, and practice. Southwest J Aging. 2001;16:47–61.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Turner JA, Franklin G, Turk DC. Predictors of chronic disability in injured workers: a systematic literature synthesis. Am J Ind Med. 2000;38:707–22. doi:10.1002/1097-0274(200012)38:6<707::AID-AJIM10>3.0.CO;2-9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Crook J, Moldofsky H. The probability of recovery and return to work form work disability as a function of time. Qual Life Res. 1994;3(Suppl. 1):S97–109. doi:10.1007/BF00433383.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Putz-Anderson V. Cumulative trauma disorders: a manual for musculoskeletal disease of the upper limbs. London: Taylor and Francis; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Haenszel W, Loveland DB, Sirken MG. Lung cancer mortality as related to residence and smoking histories: I. White Males. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1962;28:947–1001.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. http://www.bls.gov [Internet Homepage]. Workplace injuries and illnesses in 2007; News USDoL c. 2008. http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm. Accessed 1 May 2009.

  42. Peek-Asa C, McArthur DL, Kraus JF. Incidence of low back injury among older workers in a cohort of material handlers. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2004;1:551–7. doi:10.1080/15459620490479799.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Silverstein M. Meeting the challenges of an aging workforce. Am J Ind Med. 2008;51:269–80. doi:10.1002/ajim.20569.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Kenny GP, Yardley JE, Martineau L, Jay O. Physical work capacity in older adults: implications for the aging worker. Am J Ind Med. 2008;51:610–25. doi:10.1002/ajim.20600.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Booth FW, Weeden SH, Tseng BS. Effect of aging on human skeletal muscle and motor function. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;26:556–60. doi:10.1249/00005768-199405000-00006.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Goldich RL. Military retirement and personnel management: should active duty military careers be lengthened. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Metter EJ, Lynch N, Conwit R, Lindle R, Torbin J, Hurley B. Muscle quality and age: cross sectional and longitudinal comparisons. J Gerontol. 1999;54A:B207–18.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Doherty TJ. The influence of aging and sex on skeletal muscle mass and strength. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2001;4:503–8. doi:10.1097/00075197-200111000-00007.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Prather H, Foye PM, Stiens SA, Wilder RP, Cianca JC. Industrial medicine and acute musculoskeletal rehabilitation. 6. Occupational health for special populations. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;83:S25–32. doi:10.1053/apmr.2002.32154.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kamel HK. Sarcopenia and aging. Nutr Rev. 2003;61:157–67. doi:10.1301/nr.2003.may.157-167. review.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Zuhosky JP, Irwin RW, Sable AW, Sullivan WJ, Panagos A, Foye PM. Industrial medicine and acute musculoskeletal rehabilitation. 7. Acute industrial musculoskeletal injuries in the aging workforce. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2007;88(Suppl 1):S34–9. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2006.12.014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Shephard RJ. Age and physical work capacity. Exp Aging Res. 1999;25:331–43. doi:10.1080/036107399243788.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Aittomaki A, Lahelma E, Roos E, Leino-Arjas P, Martikainen P. Gender differences in the association of age with physical workload and functioning. Occup Environ Med. 2005;62:95–100. doi:10.1136/oem.2004.014035.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Siivola SM, Levosks S, Latvala K, Hoskio E, Vanharanta H, Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi S. Predictive factors for neck and shoulder pain: a longitudinal study in young adults. Spine. 2004;29:1662–9. doi:10.1097/01.BRS.0000133644.29390.43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Cassou B, Derriennic F, Monfort C, Norton J, Touranchet A. Chronic neck and shoulder pain, age, and working conditions: longitudinal results from a large random sample in France. Occup Environ Med. 2002;59:537–44. doi:10.1136/oem.59.8.537.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Bellew JW, Symons TB, Vandervoort AA. Geriatric fitness: effects of aging and recommendations for exercise in older adults. Cardiopulm Phys Ther J. 2005;16:20–31.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Ilmarinen JE. Aging workers. Occup Environ Med. 2001;58:546–52. doi:10.1136/oem.58.8.546.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Asogwa SE, Granda Ibarra A, Izmerov N, Kumashiro M, Ramachandran CR, Rantanen J, Su Z. Aging and workforce capacity. World Health Organization: Technical Report Series No. 835. 1993. p. 1–55.

  59. Gall B, Parkhouse W. Changes in physical capacity as a function of age in heavy manual work. Ergonomics. 2004;47:671–87. doi:10.1080/00140130410001658691.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Darragh AR, Campo M, Olson D. Therapy practice within a minimal lift environment: perceptions of therapy staff. Work: A Journal of Prevention. Assessment, and Rehabilitation. 2009. (in press).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA

    Phyllis King

  2. College of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Wendy Huddleston

  3. School of Allied Medical Professions, Occupational Therapy Division, The Ohio State University, 406 Atwell Hall Columbus, Columbus, OH, 43210-1262, USA

    Amy R. Darragh

Authors
  1. Phyllis King
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wendy Huddleston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amy R. Darragh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Phyllis King.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

King, P., Huddleston, W. & Darragh, A.R. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Injuries: Differences Among Older and Younger Occupational and Physical Therapists. J Occup Rehabil 19, 274–283 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-009-9184-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-009-9184-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation