The effect of heavy work on the musculoskeletal system of dockers

In compass of 1989-1995 all in all 388 dockers were examined, including 136 stevedores, 128 operators of mechanic equipment, 74 hoistmen and 73 retired stevedores. Out of the group of 508 stevedores that in 1989 was selected for the purpose of the study, at the end of 1995 there were 136 still working, and out of 141 operators 128 remained in employment. The number of the hoistmen working did not change. The stevedores perform heavy and a very heavy loading labour, the rest moderate and light. The highest number of changes was found in the lumbar segment of the spine-totally 56.2%, then in the sacroiliac articulations-totally 50.6%, in the cervical spine-totally 34.4%, within the shoulder girdle-33.1% and in the thoracic segment of the spine-26.3%. In stevedores these proportions were higher. A transfer to a lighter work or retirement could not inhibit the degenerative process within the musculoskeletal system. Evaluating the development of the disease in the period of observation, a progress of the pathological process was observed. No relation between the loss of fitness in stevedores and their body mass could be found. The mean time of the disease tended to increase with age of the examined. In a considerable number of the subjects a casual connection between the changes in the musculoskeletal system and the work performed was revealed.