Back Injuries and Management of

Employees with Back Injuries

Patrick Ker
BHlthSc (Occupational Therapy), MScTech (Ergonomics)
Director, SGH Postgraduate Allied Health Institute
Senior Principal Occupational Therapist
 Symptoms can include:

Sharp pain after lifting heavy objects or engaging in

strenuous activities
Achy pain after sitting or standing for extended
periods
Pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock,
down the back of the thigh and calf
Inability to stand straight without having pain or
muscle spasms in the lower back

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 Prevalence of Back Injuries

No. of confirmed cases in 2013:

Musculoskeletal Disorder of the Back (3)

Back injuries due to ergonomic risks (214)
Cervical Spondylosis (1)

Source: Ministry of Manpower, Singapore

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 Prevalence Studies of Musculoskeletal Disorders among
Office Workers in Singapore
(n=325)

Ar e a o f P a in R e p o r t e d b y O f f ic e W o r k e r s

73
80
% of Re sponde nts

70
60 46
43 42 42
50
40
30 19 18
14 13
20 11

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6
Office Ergonomics
Patrick Ker
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Prevalence Studies of Musculoskeletal Disorders among
Hotel Workers in Singapore
(n=929)

Chart 10: Area of pain reported by respondents

80
68%
70
% of respondents

60
50
40 33% 35%
26%
30 23% 22%
20 15%
9%
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What are the causes?

Worker
 WORK

Organisational Factor External Load Social Context

Frequency, Duration Force

PERSON
Mechanical
Strain
Individual Factor
Fitness, Strength, Fatigue,
Physiological Mental Health
Response

Pain Impairment
Discomfort Disability

Adapted from National Research Council/Institute of Medicine Committee (2001) National Academy Press
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A Good Fit

A Good Fit

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 Work
Person Task
Environment

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 The injured workers journey

Injury occurs

Medical / Surgical Interventions Rehabilitation

Work Rehabilitation

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Return to Work

Job Requirements
Functional Capacity

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 Work Rehabilitation
Assessment
Work Assessment worksite visits
Functional Capacity Evaluation
Strength, Endurance, Flexibility, Coordination, Balance

Treatment
Work Conditioning
Work Hardening
Workplace/Task modification (if necessary)

Return to Work
Full or modified duty
Injury prevention
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