Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation Among Milk Harvesters
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/hd98vm93Keywords:
Wrist pain, Milk harvesters, Musculoskeletal disorders, Occupational healthAbstract
Background: Wrist pain from repetitive occupational activity can impair work performance and daily function, yet limited local evidence exists for milk harvesters involved in repetitive, forceful hand milking. Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of wrist pain and functional disability among milk harvesters in Sialkot using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE). Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 370 male milk harvesters aged 20–35 years with ≥1 year of milking experience recruited from cattle sheds and dairy farms in Sialkot using purposive sampling. Wrist pain and disability were assessed using PRWE, capturing pain severity and functional limitations in specific and usual activities. Data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages. Results: Moderate wrist pain was most common (47.3%), followed by mild (24.6%) and severe pain (13.8%), while 3.5% reported very severe pain. Moderate limitation was reported for specific activities (43.5%) and usual activities (43.2%). Overall functional impairment was moderate in 43.5% and severe/very severe in 25.4%. Combined total PRWE disability was moderate in 48.1% and severe/very severe in 20.8%, indicating substantial pain-related functional burden. Conclusion: Wrist pain and disability are highly prevalent among milk harvesters, with moderate impairment predominating and a clinically important proportion reporting severe disability, supporting the need for ergonomic prevention and early rehabilitation strategies.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Sana Aziz, Muhammad Shazib Butt, Zarkash Javed, Muhammad Hashaam, Raveena Rajput (Author)
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