Belastning på rörelseapparaten, en probleminventering

Load-elicited musculoskeletal problems are usual among military personal, such as ranger soldiers and Air Force pilots. The present problem inventory comprises two parts. I) Knee related pain among ranger conscripts; 2) Neck pain among helicopter pilots. Part I) All conscripts in a ranger unit were investigated at the start of their service using four loading knee tests in order to detect knee problems. Knee problems were also asked for in a questionnaire and the outcome was compared. At start the tests identified 74/268 where knee pain was provoked, while the questionnaires identified 22/268. In total 37 rangers were discharged from service due to some reason. The knee tests were shown to have a higher predictive value for this among these ranger conscripts than the questionnaires. Part II) Three months neck pain prevalence among 136 consecutive helicopter pilots in active service, who went through their regular health check ups in FMC, was 57% including the 32% with frequent neck pain. Three months prevalence for shoulder-, thoracic-, and lumbar pain was 35%, 16% and 46%. Earlier neck and shoulder pain were independent risk factors for neck problems. The use of NVG also tended to be a risk factor, while general muscular strengthening exercises tended to be preventive. Conclusions. Relevant screening programs can be used in the preventive and strategic work aiming to avoid load elicited musculoskeletal pain related problems and discharges.