back problems in the OR

[penny77]

Hi everyone,

I currently work on a busy orthopedics floor... but since i've been working, i've developed this constant, dull, lower back pain. I'm thinking it's from pulling patients up in bed, getting them out of bed, supporting their legs etc..I've always been interested in the OR, but i'm wondering in your opinion, do OR nurses have less incidence of back injuries or back related problems?

Thank you for your opinions!

[fracturenurse]

I used to work on an orthopedics floor as well. However, my back never hurt until I went to the OR. You do a lot of patient moving and positioning in the OR. We use a roller, but if you don't use good body mechanics you will start to feel it in your back. We move a lot of equipment, switch out beds, crawl around and hook things up, etc. I always was told to "protect my back," I wish I would have listened more.

So, I think the answer to your question, is no, we probably have the same incidence of back problems as a floor nurse, if not more. Unfortunately, other nurses seem to think we are just sitting around in the OR, but when you see how much we really do, you understand.

Good luck!

[linda2097]

Also, you have to lift a lot of heavy equipment in the OR, such as instrument trays.

[ewattsjt]

I have no idea of what the incidence difference between the two departments are. I can say that in at my facility in the OR there is a lot of moving patients, positioning for the procedure (lifting legs into stirrups, rolling the patient laterally or to a prone position) as well lifting instrument sets and moving equipment in and out. If you are at a facility where the RNs scrub, you may also be scrubbed in on long cases. We have a spine surgeon whose quick cases are four hours and his longer cases are over a shift. So it would be standing except lunch. I have had a couple of spinal fusions and no matter what I do; his room on long cases kill my back.

Sometimes if you are scrubbed, you simply have to use poor body mechanics. We have on GI doc that when he is doing rectal cases, he positions in Lithotomy and he sits while you stand over his R shoulder and retract, pass, assist, etc.. There is no way you can maintain good body mechanics.

Does your facility offer cross training? If so, you could train there to cover overtime or call and see if it is better on you. If not, ask if you could shadow a couple of days to see if you would like it (if it would be easier on your back).

I wish you well on your decision.