Affiliations: [a]
Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [b]
Institute of Occupational Health of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [c]
University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [d]
Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| [e]
Institute of Occupational Health and Sports Medicine, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| [f]
Department of Medical rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| [g]
Special Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Novi Sad, Serbia
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Prof. dr Ivan Mikov, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Department of Occupational Medicine and University Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. Tel.: +381214843781; E-mail: ivan.mikov@mf.uns.ac.rs.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is upper-limb disorder, more frequent in women. It is rarely recognized as an occupational disease. OBJECTIVE:
In this paper we reported work related de Quervain’s tenosynovitis in cow milker. METHODS:
Ergonomic risk factors were assessed by utilizing assessment of repetitive tasks (ART) of the upper limbs method. Physical examination and imaging exams were used. RESULTS:
We presented a 36-year-old female agricultural worker (workplace cow milker) exposed to work factors (forceful hand/wrist exertions, repetition, extreme postures) for 14 years. She was suffering the pain in the right hand, mainly near the thumb for few years. She was treated conservatively and surgically, however disability was permanent. Clinical examination showed slight edema of the right hand, increased palm’s sweating. Patient had reduced range of movements and grip strength. CONCLUSIONS:
Report shows that work-related factors were strongly associated with diagnosed de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Hand function plays an essential role in carrying out activities of daily living and this disorder pose a relevant burden of disease. Exposure to biomechanical factors should be an important initial target for the prevention of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis in the working population.
Keywords: Work related musculoskeletal disorder, agriculture, workplace, treatment, disability, employee health
