Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in patients who received treatments from the Office of Medical Technology and Physical Therapy Health Service, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University

Abstract

Nowadays, the number of patients with musculoskeletal disorders has been increasing both in public and private hospitals. A study regarding prevalence of these conditions is vital for health promotion and prevention for people in the community. This study aimed to report the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in patients who received treatments from The Office for Medical Technology and Physical Therapy Health Service, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University during October 2006 – September 2007. The results showed that there were 688 new cases who were treated during official time (Sixty percent were female). Most of these patients were middle-aged (forty-five percents of aged between 45-64 years old). Forty-one percents of the patients were employed by the university whereas the rest worked outsides. There were 905 lesion sites. The three most frequent areas of disorders were lower back, neck and upper back respectively. Most of these patients worked in the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, and Faculty of Dentistry respectively.  The most frequently found of the disorders was neck problem. The findings may contribute to further study for development of appropriate health promotion and prevention programs for patients with musculoskeletal disorders.