ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: Northern Health - VIC, Australia
Purpose:
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are common among plastic surgeons due to sustained static posture, repetitive fine motor tasks, and use of magnification devices. These injuries predominantly affect the upper limb and may compromise surgeon well-being and career longevity. Microbreaks incorporating brief stretching exercises have been proposed as a preventive strategy; however, specialty-specific guidance remains limited. This review aimed to characterise upper limb WRMDs in plastic surgeons and assess evidence supporting microbreak interventions.
Methodology:
A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. MEDLINE, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were searched for studies published between 2000 and October 2025 addressing upper limb musculoskeletal injury in plastic surgeons and microbreak or stretching interventions. Data were synthesised descriptively. A secondary search identified exercises suitable for microbreaks informed by published literature and hand therapy guidelines.
Results:
Seventeen studies involving 11,998 surgeons were included, of whom 5,891 were plastic surgeons. Upper limb musculoskeletal pain was prevalent, with shoulder pain most frequently reported (median prevalence 47.8%), followed by hand and wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome (median prevalence 15.4%). Identified risk factors included prolonged static posture, magnification use, and long operative duration. Interventional studies showed microbreaks did not increase operative time and were associated with improved physical comfort and perceived performance.
Conclusion:
WRMDs represent a substantial occupational burden for plastic surgeons. Microbreaks incorporating targeted stretching appear feasible and beneficial, but uptake is limited by lack of practical guidance. This review supports development of an evidence-informed ergonomic stretch framework to facilitate microbreak implementation.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Dr Mahta Mohajeri - , Dr Rizwan Sheikh -
