The functional capacity of healthcare workers with history of
severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS) complicated with avascular
necrosis – Case report
Affiliations: Physiotherapy Department, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole
Hospital, Hong Kong | Physiotherapy Department, Prince of Wales Hospital,
Hong Kong | Physiotherapy Department, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong
Kong | Physiotherapy Department, Kowloon Hospital, Hong
Kong | Physiotherapy Department, Caritas Medical Centre, Hong
Kong | Physiotherapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
Hong Kong
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Edwin W.C. Lee, Prince of Wales
Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel.: +852 26323237; Fax: +852 26324652;
E-mail: edwinlee@cuhk.edu.hk
Abstract: Two years after the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong, 128 healthcare
workers continued to present with musculoskeletal complaints and 38 workers
were diagnosed with avascular necrosis (AVN) in different joints. 13 healthcare
workers were referred to six designated Physiotherapy Departments of the
Hospital Authority for a tailor-made standardized Functional Capacity
Evaluation (FCE) from 2004 to 2005 on a voluntary basis. Job analysis, workers'
self-perceived disability and functional capacity, non-material handling tests,
and the cardiopulmonary fitness test were performed. Retrospective review of
the FCE data showed that there were 17 AVN of hips, 16 AVN of knees, 3 AVN of
shoulders. All patients had AVN of lower limb joints. Nearly full ranges of
movement (ROM) were observed in the knees involved, but the hip range was
decreased for most subjects suffering from hip AVNs. Most workers (n=12) could
not complete the cardiopulmonary test due to intolerable joint pain. Six
workers' self-perceived physical demands level (PDC) matched with the physical
demands level identified by the FCE. 12 healthcare workers attained a sedentary
physical demands level and were unable to match with their previous job
demands. One staff was classified as light physical demands and managed his
original duty. Four workers had returned to work at the time FCE was performed.
The tailor-made FCE added information to facilitate the return-to-work planning
for the staff. Four more workers returned to work with modified duties one year
after the FCE.
