Valutazione dei disturbi muscolo-scheletrici nel lavoratore in formazione fisioterapica

ABSTRACT. Work-related muscolo-skeletal disorders (WRMD) are muscoloskeletal injuries resulting from work-related events. This study collects data about their prevalence in undergraduate physioterapists during the practicum at Parma University. Informations about job tasks, procedures performed, and symptoms were collected. All subjects (39 students, 17 males and 22 females; mean age 23,8 years) received a complete physical examination, stating signs and symptoms of both static and dynamic muscolo-skeletal disorders. Thirteen subjects referred chronical muscolo-skeletal pain, that in 10 of them worsens during the physical terapy tasks. Low back pain and upper limb pain were the symptoms most frequently referred (in 9 and 3 subjects, respectively). In subjects compelling muscolo-skeletal disorders, occupational history was negative in 8 cases: remaining two cases refer previous occupations associated with weight lifting and prolonged maintaining of a fixed position. In conclusion, our study suggests the importance of health surveillance also in physical therapy students.