RSI, a silent disease among surgeons
The prevalence of MSDs among caregivers cannot be ignored. Three major American articles (1), carried out between 2021 and 2022, show that 90% of orthopaedic surgeons have suffered from at least one musculoskeletal disorder since the start of their career. In the operating theatre, orthopaedic surgeons are confronted with :
- Repetitive movements;
- Intense muscular energy;
- Prolonged standing;
- Maintaining non-ergonomic positions;
- And the resulting muscle fatigue.
Affected spine, elbows and shoulders
The list of reported pathologies that can lead to pain and loss of manual/general skills is long:
- Lumbago (56% of orthopedists)
- Cervicalgia (42%)
- Rotator cuff tendonitis (33%)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (33%)
- Lateral epicondylitis (30%)
- Plantar fasciitis (29%)
- Osteoarthritis of the basilar joint (28%)
Other conditions reported by less than 30% of respondents included cubital tunnel syndrome, sciatica, lumbar or cervical radiculopathy, jerky finger, biceps tendonitis, DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, medial epicondylitis and acromioclavicular joint involvement.
Despite the absence of serious studies on the subject in France, we can state with varying degrees of certainty that MSDs constitute a real health problem for orthopaedic surgeons. Solutions are therefore necessary, indeed essential, to support these health professionals. The trials recently carried out by the Centre hospitalier de l'Europe in Port Marly could be a source of inspiration for the profession.
HAPO posture harness tested in the operating room
In the absence of clear statistics on RSI in the orthopedic profession, we can rely on the latest news and experiments carried out by a number of specialists. Recently, Dr Pierre Diviné, orthopedic surgeon at the CHP de l'Europe (78), evaluated the effectiveness of an innovative solution developed by ErgoSanté.
With the approval of the Conseil de l'ordre des médecins, this surgeon equipped himself with a HAPO, a passive physical assistance system, during an operation in the operating room. After an initial trial, Dr Pierre Diviné reported " real relief from lower back pain " and " a real feeling of mechanical assistance ". The surgeon repeated the exercise during two other operations, with the same results.
The trial at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Europe in Port Marly is not the first of its kind in the healthcare sector. The HAPO has already been tested in real-life conditions by dental practices, surgeons and homecare nurses.
All these tests conclude that the exoskeleton is really useful for repetitive movements, genuflexions, carrying heavy loads and relieving back strain. Similar results have been reported by forklift truck drivers, winemakers, construction workers and logisticians who have tried ErgoSanté exoskeletons.
The successful trial at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Europe in Port Marly has raised the prospect of improved working conditions for orthopedic surgeons. Lightweight, easy to maintain and space-saving, the HAPO posture harness meets all the criteria for ideal physical assistance in a demanding profession.
Other promising solutions for orthopaedic surgeons?
The HAPO FRONT also supports orthopedic surgeons in their daily work. This physical assistance device (PAD) is designed to support and relieve the shoulders, elbows and upper limbs. Arm-forward posture, repetitive movements and repeated efforts: the device proves its effectiveness in arm-forward situations.
Like the HAPO, the HAPO FRONT is a passive, non-motorized exoskeleton. In the operating room, it is worn under a gown, as Dr. Pierre Diviné did during the trials. This real-life experiment could pave the way for more in-depth studies on MSD in orthopedics.
(1)
Occupational injuries and burn out among orthopedic oncology surgeons. Alaseem A, Turcotte R, Ste-Marie N et al. World J Orthop. 2022 Dec 18; 13(12): 1056- 1063. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v13.i12.1056
A Survey of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Orthopaedic Surgeon: Identifying Injuries, Exacerbating Workplace Factors, and Treatment Patterns in the Orthopaedic Community. Swank K, Furness J, Baker E et al. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2022 May; 6(5): e20.00244 . doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-20-00244
Work-related musculoskeletal injuries among upper extremity surgeons: A web-based survey. Alzahrani M, Algahtani S, Pichora D et al. World J Orthop. 2021 Nov 18;12(11):891-898. doi:10.5312/wjo.v12.i11.891.
Musculoskeletal disorders in the operating room. Aublet-Cuvelier A. - Interbloc. Doi : 10.1016/j.bloc.2012.12.013