Musculoskeletal pain patterns in a group of Sudanese surgeons

Abstract

Background: Surgeons frequently experience work-related musculoskeletal pain, which is a prevalent problem. This study aims to evaluate the patterns of musculoskeletal pain among a group of Sudanese surgeons. Methodology: This study utilized a cross-sectional survey design, in which 84 volunteers residing in the city of El-Obeid, located in the Northern Kordofan state, participated. We randomly selected contributors between May 2024 and June 2024, without taking into account their age or gender. Results:  About 65.5% of the subjects, consisting of 75% females and 63% males, reported experiencing lower back pain. 43% of individuals reported experiencing neck pain, with 37.5% being women and 44% being men. The study found that males have a higher risk of experiencing neck pain. We calculated the relative risk (RR) to be 1.250, with a 95% confidence range (95%CI) of 0.501-3.122. A quarter of the participants, specifically 37.5% of females and 22% of males, reported experiencing shoulder pain. The likelihood of experiencing shoulder pain is slightly higher in females compared to males, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.178 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.880–1.576). Conclusion: Musculoskeletal discomfort is common among surgeons of various specialties in Sudan. The most often reported musculoskeletal pain was lower back, neck, and shoulder discomfort.