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. 2023 Jan 31;8(1):e22.00083.
doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.22.00083. eCollection 2023 Jan-Mar.

Prevalence and Spectrum of Occupational Injury Among Orthopaedic Surgeons: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ramakanth R Yakkanti  1 , Anil B Sedani  1 , Alina Syros  2 , Amiethab A Aiyer  3 , Michele R D'Apuzzo  1 , Victor H Hernandez  1
Affiliations

Prevalence and Spectrum of Occupational Injury Among Orthopaedic Surgeons: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ramakanth R Yakkanti et al. JB JS Open Access. .

Abstract

Orthopaedic surgeons are at increased risk for many occupational hazards, both physical and mental. The aim of this study was to evaluate a wide range of work-related injuries among orthopaedic surgeons in the United States.

Methods: An electronic survey was developed to assess both physical and mental occupational hazards among orthopaedic surgeons. Descriptive statistics were analyzed for all survey items and compared using chi-square and paired t tests, as appropriate.

Results: The 1,645 responding orthopaedic surgeons (7% response rate) reported a total of 2,702 work-related musculoskeletal injuries, 17.9% of which required surgical treatment. Of the 61 who filed a disability claim, only 66% returned to work and 34% retired early. Additionally, 17.4% of respondents reported having been diagnosed with cancer since starting practice, and 93.8% reported experiencing a finger stick at some point in their career. Over one-half (55.8%) had experienced feelings of psychological distress since beginning practice, and nearly two-thirds (64.4%) reported burnout from work.

Conclusions: This study captured a spectrum of occupational injuries that pose longitudinal risks to an orthopaedic surgeon's physical and mental well-being. Our hope is that this analysis of occupational hazards will help to raise awareness among the orthopaedic and medical communities and lead to efforts to reduce these risks.

Level of evidence: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSOA/A463).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Percentage of surgeons reporting a musculoskeletal injury by body part.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Percentage of surgeons with musculoskeletal injuries who underwent nonoperative treatment (medications and/or rehabilitation) by body part.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Percentage of surgeons with musculoskeletal injuries who underwent operative treatment by body part.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Rates of injury and/or pain locations by subspecialty.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Nonsurgical interventions for musculoskeletal injuries.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Types of finger stick injuries and clinical sequelae.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Cancer diagnoses. GI = gastrointestinal.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Lead use by subspecialty.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Mental health by subspecialty.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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