Risk factors for hip problems among assembly plant workers.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the relative contributions of work activity (time spent standing, walking or sitting), floor surface characteristics, weight, BMI, age, foot biomechanics, and other demographic and medical history factors to the prevalence of hip disorders.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study design was used to engine assembly plant workers. The main outcome measure was the finding of a hip disorder. The independent variables included baseline demographics, medical history, ergonomic exposures, psychosocial factors, shoe characteristics and foot biomechanics.

RESULTS

Logistic regression revealed that increasing age, female gender, pes planus, smoking, history of a knee or hip injury, and a history of rheumatoid arthritis were significant risk factors while time on carpeted surfaces was protective.

CONCLUSIONS

Hip disorders are associated with a history of biomechanical trauma to the hip but also from gait abnormalities such as pes planus.