Relationship between spinal canal diameter and back pain in coal miners. Ultrasonic measurement as a screening test

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00043764-198401000-00006· OSTI ID:6864941

Macdonald, E B; Porter, R; Hibbert, C; Hart, J

Back pain is the commonest cause of absence among coal miners. However, the degree of morbidity is variable. To determine whether the susceptible individual can be identified, ultrasound was used to measure the spinal canal diameters of 204 miners. The results show that those men with the longest histories and the longest times off work and those who had to leave the coalface or who left the industry--i.e., those with the greatest morbidity--had significantly narrower canals. Ultrasonic measurement of the spinal canal diameter is safe and noninvasive. Its use should be further evaluated as part of a preemployment screening procedure for back pain.

• Research Organization: Markham Main Colliery, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England
• OSTI ID: 6864941
• Journal Information: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Vol. 26:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
SPINAL CORD
ULTRASONOGRAPHY
VERTEBRAE
COAL MINERS
ETIOLOGY
PAIN
SIZE
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
MINERS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
PERSONNEL
SKELETON
SYMPTOMS
016000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Health & Safety
550600 - Medicine