IS LOW BACK PAIN A DISABILITY OR A VARIATION OF NORMALITY?

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the point prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among deployed personnel.

150 questionnaires were randomly distributed through the cashier and the mess at RAF Thumrait. 112 questionnaires were returned. The questionnaire, although a general musculoskeletal one, focused mainly on spine pain and also contained the Short Form 36.

107 males and 5 females responded. 85 (75.89%) personnel reported presence of some pain either in their spine and/ or limbs. There was no difference in the report of pain between the various age groups mentioned (p=0.76). There were significant differences among the different occupational branches (p=0.0023). There was no correlation however between spinal pain and lifting (p=0.79), standing (p=0.28), sitting (p=0.98), or running / jumping/ climbing (p=0.77). Though the 22 smokers reported higher pain than non-smokers this did not show statistical significance. There was negative correlation between the VAS report of pain and the Physical Component of Health (p=0.0001) and between stress at work and the Mental Component of Health (p=0.001) and between stress at work and the Mental component of health (p=0.001).

85 (75.9%) of the 112 personnel who had completed the questionnaire had some pain either in the spine or limbs. The lower back was the single anatomical region where pain was reported (n=68,60.7%) most frequently. It is interesting to note that all these personnel were on active duty in the armed forces and considered medically fit to deploy. It only shows to reinforce that low back pain in particular and musculoskeletal pain in general is common and normal and does not always imply disease and disability.