Investigation of Lateral Epicondylitis in Neurosurgeons.

AIM: To investigate the frequency of lateral epicondylitis (LE), depending on the tasks performed by neurosurgeons, and to determine whether it can be accepted as an occupational disease depending on its frequency.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: All neurosurgery specialists enrolled in the Turkish Neurosurgical Society website were prospectively included. A questionnaire form was shared, and the subsequent responses were recorded. Those who provided incomplete responses were excluded from the study. The respondents diagnosed with LE were recorded. Exclusion criteria were investigated on complaints of pain. They were examined by an orthopedics and traumatology specialist with application of Thomsen test and necessary maneuvers.

RESULTS: The study was conducted with 216 neurosurgeons. Those with more than 30 operations per month (p=0.002), those with a specialization duration of 10-20 years and > 20 years (p=0.001), and those who specialized in spinal surgery (p=0.014) had a significantly higher prevalence of epicondylitis. Considering the relationship between lumbar/thoracic pedicle screw insertion and epicondylitis, the epicondylitis diagnosis rate was significantly higher in physicians inserting 20â€"60 screws per month than those inserting < 20 screws (p=0.009).

CONCLUSION: LE frequently occurs in neurosurgeons who regularly perform spinal instrumentation and appears to be an occupational disease. However, data obtained during the current study should be combined with findings from case-control studies of neurosurgeons.