An Epidemiological Investigation On Neck And Low Back Pain And Injuries Of Shoulder And Knee In Army Aviation Helicopter Pilots

Neck and low back pain (LBP) and injuries of shoulder and knee are sets ofcommon sub-clinical syndromes in pilots. They are also a kind of commonoccupational diseases which influence pilots’ health and normal training seriously.The prevalence of neck and LBP and injuries of shoulder and knee in pilots is high,especially in army aviation helicopter pilots due to their special workingenvironment such as the cramped cockpit and vibration. Army aviation helicopterpilots form a new part which could influence combat effectiveness of air force. Thecause of neck and LBP and injuries of shoulder and knee in army aviation helicopterpilots may be the pilot’s posture, the type of helicopter, flight time, age and so on.Neck and LBP and injuries of shoulder and knee of army aviation helicopter pilotscan lead to the dysphoria and affect the quality of flight directly. It is an importantfactor which affects combat effectiveness of flight troops and flight safety. It alsoinfluences the health, training and implementation tasks of army aviation helicopterpilots. Now in this cohort study, the works done concerning epidemiology, riskfactors, and the prevention and treatment of neck and LBP and injuries of shoulderand knee in army aviation helicopter pilots are researched and discussed to attractenough attention of flight surgeons for the enhancement of understanding andtreatment of neck and LBP and injuries of shoulder and knee in army aviationhelicopter pilots, and to improve aviation medical support.Part one: An epidemiological investigation on neck and LBP of armyaviation helicopter pilotsObjective: To investigate the prevalence of neck and LBP andepidemiological characteristics in army aviation helicopter pilots with an analysisand evaluation of risk factors, and provide theoretical basis for specific diagnosis and treatment, as well as guidance of taking protective measures effectively.Methods：The self-reported neck and low back symptom was investigatedepidemiologically by questionnaires, physical examinations and field visits in565army aviation helicopter pilots who had been in6regions. The data of prevalenceof chronic pain, the epidemiological characteristics in distribution, the etiologyand relevant risk factors analyzed by statistical method.Results:1.The total prevalence of neck and LBP of army aviation helicopterpilots was67.79%(362/534),43.82%(234/534) for neck pain, and61.73%(329/534) for LBP.2. The prevalence of LBP of fighter helicopter polits wassignificanly higher compared to other types of helicopter polits (P<0.05).3.Flying hours, in-flight sitting posture, age, smoking, vibration generated by thehelicopter and helmet were identified as high risk factors for neck and LBP.4. Thepain is commonly described as ache.5. The neck pain and the LBP is mostlytargeted in middle spine and paraspinal, the percentage was94.87%(222/234) and93.92%(309/329) respectively.Conclusion:1．The prevalence of neck and LBP of army aviation helicopterpilots was high.2. Flying army aviation helicopters is a special occupational workwith high level of prevalence of neck and LBP. The cause of pain is rathercomplicated, which is due to many factors.3. The special manner and condition ofworking are contributed to the neck and LBP of army aviation helicopter pilots.4.Training of cervical muscles and psoas, and research on ergonomics, relevantdevices and protective measures are all of great significance.Part two: An epidemiological investigation on injuries of shoulder andknee of army aviation helicopter pilotsObjective: To investigate the prevalence of injuries of shoulder and knee andepidemiological characteristics in army aviation helicopter pilots with an analysisof etiology and evaluation of risk factors, and provide theoretical basis foraccurate assessment and treatment, as well as guidance of taking protectivemeasures effectively. Methods：The self-reported shoulder and knee symptom was investigatedepidemiologically by questionnaires, physical examinations and field visits in565army aviation helicopter pilots who had been in6regions. The data of prevalenceof chronic pain, the epidemiological characteristics in distribution, the etiologyand relevant risk factors analyzed by statistical method.Results:1.The total prevalence of injuries of shoulder and knee among armyaviation helicopter pilots was44.76%(239/534),37.45%(200/534) for shoulder,and33.15%(177/534) for knee.2. Flying hours, in-flight sitting posture, age,BMI, vibration generated by the helicopter were identified as high risk factors fordiscomfort of shoulder and knee.3. The main influencing factor was injuriesduring common fitness training.Conclusion:1．The cause of injuries of shoulder and knee in army aviationhelicopter pilots is rather complicated, which is due to many factors.2. The specialmanner, condition of working and lifestyle are contributed to the disorders ofshoulder among army aviation helicopter pilots.3. Avoiding accidental injuriesduring common fitness training and improving on ergonomics are significantmeasures to prevent and treat injuries of shoulder and knee.