Relationship between Thai Working Lifestyles and Lumbar Osteophyte

• Published in: Journal of Health Science and Medical Research (JHSMR) Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 201 - 209
• Main Author: Patcharin Chanapa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Prince of Songkla University 01.08.2016
• Subjects: degenerative disc disease; degenerative lumbar spine; lumbar osteophyte; working lifestyles
• ISSN: 2586-9981; 2630-0559

Lumbar osteophyte is abnormal or excessive bone growth in the lumbar vertebrae due to spinal degeneration. Symptoms range from mild pain to severe neuropathy. The objective of this review is to determine the relationship between Thai working lifestyles and lumbar osteophyte. The prevalence of lumbar osteophyte in a sample of Thai skeletons aged 15-96 years (mean 63 years) was found to be very high (97.2%), and affected all samples aged 36 years and above. The location and severity of osteophyte depends on posture and body movement, especially trunk flexion and lateral bending. The majority of Thai workers with osteophyte were engaged in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, occupations that involve heavy lifting, repeated trunk flexion and lateral bending. Between 2005 and 2014 musculo- skeletal disorders among Thai worker have doubled. Results of this review showed that working lifestyles are related with lumbar osteophyte, and encourages health promotion staffs to provide knowledge and education about correct posture and body movement to help prevent or delay degeneration of bones, muscles or tissues of joints causing osteophyte. Correct behavior in the form of posture may reduce risk of lumbar osteophyte.