Muhammad Sadeem Khalid, Fida Hussain, Iqra Arshad, Saba Hussain, Zahra Aman, Momna Khadim.
Frequency of Musculoskeletal Pain among Truck Drivers; an Observational Study.
Healer J Physiotherap Rehab Jan ;3(9):815-23.

Background: Numerous contributing factors have been observed to cause various musculoskeletal disorders in truck drivers, which include unsuitable and less ergonomically made seats, prolonged sitting, poor biomechanics of the body and poor diet. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the frequency of musculoskeletal pain among truck drivers. Methods: This study is an observational cross-sectional study in which a convenient sampling technique was used. A combination of a standardized and self-customized questionnaire was employed to evaluate and determine the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders in truck drivers. Those truck drivers who had driving experience of more than two years and age more than twenty years old were recruited in this study. A statistical package for social sciences version 23 was employed to evaluate the data collected. The qualitative variables were represented in the form of percentages and frequency. After determining the normality of the data appropriate statistical tests were employed. Results: This current study recruited 105 truck drivers whose age was greater than 20 years and who had driving experience of more than two years. From the total of 105 truck drivers, 55 (52.4%) truck drivers had pain in the neck, 21 (20%) truck drivers had pain in the shoulders, 8 truck drivers had pain in the lower back, 6 truck drivers had pain in hip and thigh, 14 truck driver had pain in knees and 40 truck drivers had pain in ankle and feet. Of the truck drivers who had low back pain, 58.10% had low back pain due to uncomfortable seats and whole-body vibrations. The results of this study also show that 103 truck drivers (98.1%) truck drivers had to change their jobs temporarily and also change their hours of duty driving due to musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. Conclusion: This study concludes that professional truck drivers suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders, pain and discomfort in various regions of their bodies which are associated with their working environment that is unsuitable and uncomfortable seats, prolonged sitting on poorly ergonomic designed trucks and its seats and the whole-body vibrations caused when the truck moves.

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