Prevalence of Thumb Pain Among Physiotherapists of Lahore

Abstract

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent among physiotherapists, particularly those performing repetitive manual therapy techniques that impose sustained compressive forces on the thumb, which functions as a pseudo weight-bearing joint. Despite substantial international evidence, epidemiological data on work-related thumb pain among physiotherapists in Pakistan remain limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence, severity, and occupational exposure association of current work-related thumb pain among physiotherapists engaged in manual therapy in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over six months in six tertiary care hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Lahore. A total of 146 physiotherapists with ≥2 years of clinical experience and active manual therapy involvement were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a structured, validated questionnaire and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Prevalence was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and associations between manual therapy exposure and thumb pain were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios (OR). Results: The prevalence of current work-related thumb pain was 76.0% (95% CI: 68.3%–82.6%). Moderate pain was most common (54.1%), followed by severe pain (20.7%). Dominant-thumb involvement was reported in 70.3% of symptomatic participants (p < 0.001). Physiotherapists performing manual therapy for 61–100% of working time had significantly higher odds of thumb pain (OR = 3.44; 95% CI: 1.18–10.05; p = 0.018). Conclusion: Work-related thumb pain is highly prevalent among physiotherapists in Lahore and demonstrates a significant dose–response relationship with manual therapy workload, highlighting the need for targeted ergonomic and preventive strategies.