Research Project Summary

Year Funded: 2011 Budget: $30,000 Funding Agency: WorkSafeBC
Title: Association of Past Hysterectomy with Low Back Injury: A Retrospective Study of Direct Healthcare Workers
Category: Occupational Disease, Injury and Health Services
Subcategory: Occupational Injury
Keywords: Hysterectomy, back injury, healthcare, nurses, aides
Link to research website:

Issue:

Research shows that the incidence of work-related injuries among females is significantly higher than for their male counterparts in the B.C. healthcare sector. Typical job demands for these workers include heavy lifting, twisting and bending which puts the low back at a higher risk of injury. Identification of potential contributing factors to this risk differentiated by gender could help address the cause and ultimately reduce costs associated with low back injury in direct healthcare workers. One potential contributing risk factor is prior hysterectomy. A study of 11,428 Dutch women reported on a statistically significant association between prior hysterectomy and low back pain. Anecdotal information from clinicians points to a link between prior hysterectomy and subsequent low back injury and/or pain. There are no other published studies that address this issue.

Objectives:

The objective of the research is to inform injury prevention strategies for female healthcare workers. Maximizing the health and fitness for work for any individual returning to work after surgery is beneficial and can reduce the frequency of injury.

Anticipated Results:

It is anticipated that the research will confirm that female healthcare workers who have had an abdominal hysterectomy are at greater risk for subsequent low back injury. This evidence could be useful in the development of rehabilitation recommendations for developing core muscle strength prior to return to work for health care workers who have undergone hysterectomy.

Investigators:

Mieke Koehoorn (University of British Columbia)