Spinal posture, mobility, and position sense in adolescents with chest wall deformities: a comparison of pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum and healthy peers

PURPOSE

The study aimed to compare spinal posture, mobility, and position sense in adolescents with pectus excavatum (PE), pectus carinatum (PC), and healthy control (HC).

METHODS

22 with PE, 22 with PC, and 21 HC were included in the study. The spinal posture (thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, thoracic, lumbar, pelvic lateral tilt angles) and mobility (thoracic, lumbar, hip/sacral, and overall, in the sagittal and frontal plane) with the spinal mouse, and spinal position sense (repositing errors) with the inclinometer were assessed.

RESULTS

The thoracic kyphosis angle of PE and PC was higher than in HC (p < 0.001; p = 0.001). Hip/sacral mobility in the sagittal plane was lower in the PE and PC than control, respectively (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Overall sagittal spinal mobility (p:0.007) and hip/sacral mobility in the frontal plane (p:0.002) were lower in the PC than in HC. Overall frontal spinal mobility was lower in the PE and PC than in HC (p:0.002; p:0.014). The PE and PC repositing errors were higher (p < 0.001; p:0.014).

CONCLUSION

The study found that adolescents with PE and PC had decreased spinal mobility, spinal alignment disorders, and a decline in spinal position sense. It is important not to overlook the spine during physical examinations of adolescents with chest wall deformities. In clinical practice, we suggest that adolescents with chest deformities should undergo a spine evaluation and be referred for physical therapy to manage spinal disorders.

The Prevalence and Development of Neck and Lower Back Pain and Associated Factors in Dentistry Students—A Long-Term Prospective Study

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational burden for dentists and dentistry students. This study aimed to assess the five-year development of most common musculoskeletal complaints among dentistry students during the whole length of their studies and to analyze the impact of some potentially associated risk factors. A longitudinal questionnaire survey regarding the occurrence of MSDs was conducted among a total of 73 dentistry students between 2014 and 2021. The same students enrolled in three consecutive years were monitored throughout their entire studies. Statistical analysis was performed using methods of descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, McNemar test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The most frequent areas of complaints were neck (61.6%) and lower back (49.3%). The increase in self-reported complaints between the first and the fifth year was statistically significant for neck pain (increase by 15%, p = 0.043) but not for lower back pain (by 6.8%, p = 0.44). According to our data, age, performing top-level sport, and participating in regular sporting activities had a statistically significant influence on neck and/or back pain. The results of this longitudinal prospective study showed that neck, as well as lower back pain, are significant problems for dentistry students.

Musculoskeletal Disorders among Italian Dentists and Dental Hygienists

Dental professionals often perform physically and mentally demanding therapeutical procedures. They work maintaining muscular imbalance and asymmetrical positions for a long time. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and the factors associated to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among Italian dental professionals and the most affected body regions. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between March 2019 and February 2020. The Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was implemented with questions related to working habits (dental occupation, working hours per week and per days, years of work) and lifestyle (practiced physical activity, including frequency and duration, mobilization activities, and knowledge of ergonomic guidelines) was used. The-chi square test was carried out to detect any statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Logistic regression was carried out to detect the most significant factors associated to WMSD occurrence. A total of 284 questionnaires have been used for the analysis. A high proportion of dental professionals (84.6%) were affected by WMSD in the last 12 months. A higher prevalence was found in females (87%) when compared to males (80%). The prevalence of WMSD was correlated to the working hours/day and hour/week, with a higher risk for operators working >5 h/day and >30 h/week. In addition, a high prevalence was found in operators working for 2–5 years after graduation. Most of the surveyed dental professionals practiced physical activity (70.1%) but only a few had satisfactorily knowledge of ergonomic guidelines (12.7%). Interestingly, participants who practiced yoga or stretching as physical activities demonstrated lower WMSD (77%) when compared to other physical activities (84%). We can highlight that generic physical activities have no functional effect on WMSD for dental professionals. The most affected body areas were neck (59.9%), shoulders (43.3%), lumbar region (52.1%), dorsal region (37.7%) and wrists (30.6%). Considering the magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need to implement the education in ergonomics among dental professionals, that may be achieved by teaching biomechanics, posturology and integrative functional therapies (such as yoga) during the university education and by promoting holistic health of dental operators.

Lesões músculo-esqueléticas em jovens desportistas: estudo da prevalência e dos fatores associados

Introdução: As lesões músculo-esqueléticas são frequentes e exercem forte impacto na saúde dos jovens desportistas. Objetivo: Identificar a prevalência e fatores associados a lesões músculo-esqueléticas em jovens desportistas. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, transversal, com uma componente analítica, que utilizou uma amostra do tipo não probabilístico por conveniência, constituída por 108 jovens desportistas de dois clubes desportivos das zonas Centro e Norte de Portugal. O instrumento de recolha de dados integrava variáveis de caracterização: sociodemográfica, antropométrica e contextual à prática desportiva. Integrava ainda o Questionário Nórdico Músculo-Esquelético para avaliar as lesões. Resultados: Verificou-se uma prevalência de 43,5% de lesões músculo-esqueléticas, localizando-se estas nos ombros (34,3%), pernas/joelhos (34,3%), coluna lombar (23,1%), coluna cervical (15,7%), tornozelos/pés (12,0%) e cotovelos (11,1%). Os fatores associados com significância estatística (p<0.005) foram: o habitar em meio rural, possuir índices de massa corporal mais elevados, usar a mochila apenas num ombro, pertencer ao grupo de juvenis, ter histórico de lesões anteriores, e existência de paragens no percurso do desportivo. Discussão: os valores de prevalência de lesões são superiores aos de outros estudos, tendo variáveis multifatoriais como fatores associados que necessitam de um maior enfoque no cuidar especializado da enfermagem. Conclusões: A prevalência das LME nos jovens desportistas é de facto elevada e está associada a alguns fatores sociodemográficos, antropométricos e contextuais à prática desportiva, o que justifica a implementação de programas de prevenção das lesões e promoção da qualidade de vida dos jovens desportistas por parte dos profissionais de saúde.