The evaluation of musculoskeletal system problems of the physiotherapists in the city of Diyarbakir

Objective: In this study, it is aimed to investigate the musculoskeletal disorders of physiotherapists working in Diyarbakır and to determine the relationship between these problems and age, gender, working year, working hours, weekly working day and whether or not to exercise. Method: This study is carried out on 99 physiotherapists working in various centers in Diyarbakır. NORDIC survey is used in the study. A figure showing nine anatomical areas of the body used for the survey; neck, shoulders, upper and lower back, elbows, wrists/hands, hips/thighs, knees, and ankle/feet. The data is obtained by distribution and collection of the survey. Findings: Although 83.2% of the participants think that their complaints such as pain, discomfort, and numbness are related to the work they are doing, 16.2% of them don't associate their complaints with their work. Based on the proportion of physiotherapists with and without pain according to body regions in the last 12 months, back pain is found in the 65.7% of the participants with the highest percentage. The 59.6% low back pain, 57.6% neck pain, 53.5% hand -wrist pain and 52.5% shoulder pain are found in the participants respectively. It is found that the participants who have elbow pain in the last 12 months, have higher daily working time averages. BMI averages are higher for participants who have low back pain in the last 12 months. The participants who have elbow pain in the last 12 months have a higher number of working days per week. It is determined that the rate of pain in the shoulder region in the last 12 months is higher in the female participants and the rate of pain in the foot - ankle region is higher in the male participants. It is found that the participants who didn't do exercise in the last12 months have a significantly higher incidence of pain in the knee and neck regions. It is determined that the cases of feeling pain or not feeling pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, back, waist, hip -thigh, knee and foot regions in the last 12 months are not related to age and years of work. Conclusion: This study is a preliminary study for a larger participatory study in which the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders can also be determined. The study shows that physiotherapists form a risk group in terms of musculoskeletal disorders. It has been determined that musculoskeletal problems in physiotherapists are related to BMI, gender, and wheter or not to exercise.