Back Injury – Common Risk Factors

Factors predisposing for back injury Individual Risk Factors Inherent Risk Factors Occupational Risk Factors

Individual Risks - Multifactorial Age : Spinal arthritis, disc degenerative disease. Overweight, excess fat bulges over thighs, buttocks and abdomen. Holding static positions for long hours, like prolonged standing or sitting. Co morbid conditions like : Tuberculosis, rheumatism, osteoporosis, malignancy. Smoking : Nicotine addiction Habitual or workplace driven: repeating the same movements over and over again. Hereditary Poor physical activity, lethargy, fatigue, inactive lifestyle. Weak body musculature, weak core stability muscles and muscular imbalances. Uneven spinal loading due to incorrect body mechanics and posture. High pressure on discs and ligaments due to external forces or internal forces.

Check individual risk factors Typical posture of an old woman due to spine degeneration, lifting a heavy back pack everyday, repeating similar movement as in sweeping the floor and stress on the back due to abdominal pull in a pregnant woman.

Inherent Risks These are more common with health care providers and are most of the times unavoidable. Lesser base of support, More manual assistance during patient transfers, Lack of mechanical assistance, Gait training, Mobilizing the patient etc. are certain factors which are known to put the back to high risk of injury when practiced on regular basis.

Occupational Risks There is a vital role of workplace in most of the back injuries. The injuries occurring at workplace are distinctive ad matchless when compared to any other source. Highest rates of workplace injuries have been reported by:  Truck drivers,  Nurses,  Young construction workers  Sedentary jobs: Sitting, twisting, turning and reaching out instead of actively moving around.