Assessment of Lateral Epicondylitis in Butchers in Islamabad Lateral Epicondylitis in Butchers
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a common overuse injury affecting the extensor muscles of the forearm, particularly in professions requiring repetitive manual tasks, such as butchery.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of lateral epicondylitis among butchers in Islamabad and its association with occupational risk factors.
Methods: A correlational study was conducted between February and July 2022, involving 205 butchers selected through convenience sampling. Participants with at least one year of work experience were included, while those with pre-existing injuries or diabetes were excluded. Data were collected using the Pain Rating Scale, DASH questionnaire, and Cozen’s test. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS version 25, with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of lateral epicondylitis was 23.41% (n=48). Butchers working more than 9 hours daily had a significantly higher prevalence (p=0.001). Mild to moderate pain was reported by 26.3% to 21.5% of participants, particularly in the arm and shoulder.
Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of lateral epicondylitis among butchers, linked to prolonged working hours and repetitive tasks. Ergonomic interventions and work modifications are recommended to reduce risk.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Herquelot E, Guéguen A, Roquelaure Y, Bodin J, Sérazin C, Ha C, et al. Work-Related Risk Factors for Incidence of Lateral Epicondylitis in a Large Working Population. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health. 2013;39(6):578-88.
Descatha A, Dale AM, Jaegers L, Herquelot E, Evanoff B. Self-Reported Physical Exposure Association With Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis Incidence in a Large Longitudinal Study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2013;70(9):670-3.
Descatha A, Dale AM, Silverstein BA, Roquelaure Y, Rempel D. Lateral Epicondylitis: New Evidence for Work Relatedness. Joint Bone Spine. 2015;82(1):1-7.
Descatha A, Albo F, Leclerc A, Carton M, Godeau D, Roquelaure Y, et al. Lateral Epicondylitis and Physical Exposure at Work? A Review of Prospective Studies and Meta-Analysis. Arthritis Care & Research. 2016;68(11):1681-7.
Bretschneider SF, Los FS, Eygendaal D, Kuijer PPF, Van der Molen HF. Work-Relatedness of Lateral Epicondylitis: Systematic Review Including Meta-Analysis and GRADE Work-Relatedness of Lateral Epicondylitis. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2022;65(1):41-50.
Herquelot E, Bodin J, Roquelaure Y, Ha C, Leclerc A, Goldberg M, et al. Work-Related Risk Factors for Lateral Epicondylitis and Other Causes of Elbow Pain in the Working Population. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2013;56(4):400-9.
Walker-Bone K, Palmer KT, Reading I, Coggon D, Cooper C. Occupation and Epicondylitis: A Population-Based Study. Rheumatology. 2012;51(2):305-10.
Shiri R, Viikari-Juntura E, Varonen H, Heliövaara M. Prevalence and Determinants of Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis: A Population Study. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2006;164(11):1065-74.
Titchener A, Fakis A, Tambe A, Smith C, Hubbard R, Clark D. Risk Factors in Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): A Case-Control Study. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2013;38(2):159-64.
Tajika T, Kobayashi T, Yamamoto A, Kaneko T, Takagishi K. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Lateral Epicondylitis in a Mountain Village in Japan. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery. 2014;22(2):240-3.
Hossain S. Work Related Factors Affecting the Development of Lateral Epicondylitis. Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Dhaka. 2015.
Singh D, Carrington R. Common Soft Tissue Injuries and Disorders. Surgery (Oxford). 2004;22(2):37-9.
Graveling R. Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in the Workplace: A Forensic and Epidemiological Analysis. In: Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in the Workplace. 2018;159-67.
Kivi P. Rheumatic Disorders of the Upper Limbs Associated With Repetitive Occupational Tasks in Finland in 1975-1979. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 1984;13(2):101-7.
Pathak G, Patil C. Prevalence of Scapulothoracic Joint Dysfunction in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development. 2020;11(5):157-62.
Lindenhovius AL, Doornberg JN, Brouwer KM, Jupiter JB, Mudgal CS, Ring D. A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Dynamic Versus Static Progressive Elbow Splinting for Posttraumatic Elbow Stiffness. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2012;94(8):694-700.
Fan ZJ, Silverstein BA, Bao S, Bonauto DK, Howard NL, Smith CK. The Association Between Combination of Hand Force and Forearm Posture and Incidence of Lateral Epicondylitis in a Working Population. Human Factors. 2014;56(1):151-65.
Taspinar O, Kepekci M, Ozaras N, Aydin T, Guler M. Upper Extremity Problems in Doner Kebab Masters. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2014;26(9):1433-6.
Choudhary YQ, Idress MQ. Frequency of Musculoskeletal Pain Among Chefs Working in Restaurants of Lahore. Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences. 2020;8(2):69-73.
Descatha A, Leclerc A, Chastang J-F, Roquelaure Y. Medial Epicondylitis in Occupational Settings: Prevalence, Incidence and Associated Risk Factors. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2003;45(9):993-1001.
Haahr J, Andersen J. Physical and Psychosocial Risk Factors for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Population Based Case-Referent Study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2003;60(5):322-9.