Ergonomics in the Operating Room: Recommendations for Orthopaedic Surgeons

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Orthopaedic surgeons face significant occupational hazards, with over 40% experiencing musculoskeletal injuries.
• Suboptimal operating room (OR) ergonomics and instrument design contribute to high injury rates.
• Female surgeons report disproportionately higher injury rates and discomfort compared to male surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the prevalence and contributing factors of musculoskeletal injuries in orthopaedic surgeons.
• To emphasize the impact of sex disparities on occupational health within the field.
• To advocate for ergonomic interventions and institutional changes to improve surgeon well-being and practice longevity.

Main Methods:

• Review of factors contributing to non-ergonomic conditions in the OR.
• Analysis of injury rates and sex disparities among orthopaedic surgeons.
• Identification of potential mitigation strategies for musculoskeletal injuries.

Main Results:

• Musculoskeletal injuries affect at least 40% of orthopaedic surgeons.
• Factors include non-neutral postures, poor instrument design, and inadequate OR setups.
• Over one-third of injured surgeons alter practice, take leave, or retire early.

Conclusions:

• Improving OR ergonomics is crucial for orthopaedic surgeon health and career longevity.
• Simple interventions like neutral positioning, environmental adjustments, and microbreaks can reduce injury risk.
• Institutional policies and further research are needed to create safer surgical environments and enhance patient care.