Repetitive strain injuries in physical therapists

Abstract

The repetitive strain injuries are the world’s most common job-related pathologies; they receive many designations and are object of great discussion. In Brazil, they are mostly manifested in productive age thus causing a high rate of job removal. The research had as its objectives to identify the prevalence of these injuries in the physical therapists of Fortaleza private clinics, inserted in the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Regional Counsel – 6th Region, with at least 2 years of practice in Trauma-Orthopaedics and/ or Neurology. As well as, to determine the most frequent lesions; to analyse the relation of these disorders with the practicing time and speciality, age and sex; to examine the preventive practices; to evaluate the working environment adequacy and to identify probable factors that unchain lesions in the physical therapists (movements, techniques and/ or equipments applied). Considering the constant exposition of these professionals to the risk factors, a descriptive study was established aiming at identifying this set of problems by means of a research instrument, containing both opened and closed questions. The sample consisted of 75 physical therapist of 35 clinics. There were observed: a high rate of these dysfunctions (51%), a female predominance and an age group of 25 to 30 years old, with 1 year of practice, in two or three specialities. The tendons inflammations were the most frequent referred. In relation to the prevention, elongations and strengthening were predominant. Physical therapists say that the ultra-sound is the main cause of injuries and most of them affirm to have a working environment adapted to the job. It’s concluded that there is a great prevalence of these injuries and so it is necessary to search for ways to solve the problems related to them.