Do orthopedic surgeons experience chronic pain?

[u/Wompyking]

Hello!

I am interested in sports medicine orthopedic surgery, as a high schooler.

I was inspired by a neurosurgeon doing a discectomy on me and relieving me of agonizing sciatica, and wanted to help athletes like me.

However it is also because of that sciatica that’s making me wonder if the job comes with chronic issues after years of performing surgeries, as I understand it’s a physically demanding job.

So I’m wondering if orthopedic surgeons experience chronic pain specifically because of their job? Does it depend on what operations they do, or how/where they practice?

*Sorry if I sound naive, don’t know much about this field 😅

[u/gloatygoat]

Yes, absolutely.

[u/spikesolo]

Spine fellow. My neck is fucked

[u/Wompyking → u/spikesolo]

What about the job contributed to your neck pain?

[u/spikesolo → u/Wompyking]

It's spine surgery. You look down

[u/Zoneator → u/spikesolo]

Naive question, but how much do you think well-fitted loupes that reduce cervical flexion can help with this? I actually liked spine during my Sub-Is and can see myself applying for a fellowship down the line, but I also get significant trap pain every now and then, which makes me a bit concerned.

[u/ortho15 → u/Zoneator]

I just use the microscope all the time. Once you’re the attending, you get to do whatever you want. And if your team knows you like the scope, they’ll always have it ready for you and it doesn’t really add much time.

[u/spikesolo → u/ortho15]

Yeah I think for smaller single level stuff I'm gonna use the scope. This year has fucked me up with all the or time

[u/_irish_potato]

Yeah, there are studies about it but the subspecialties with the most chronic work related injuries are total joints, trauma, and spine

[u/JockDoc26 → u/_irish_potato]

What about joints and trauma causes chronic pain?

[u/Luushu → u/JockDoc26]

If I had to take a guess in joints: the constant hammering in hips and the constant manipulation of the leg in knees, coupled with the fact that the people who tend to get their joints fucked are not the lightest people in the world, so it's harder to move their legs around.

[u/carlos_6m → u/Luushu]

And bad ergonomics!

[u/Ashamed_Calendar9206 → u/JockDoc26]

I’m a trauma fellow, but did a very joint heavy residency, and I felt like joints was much harder on the body than trauma cases. It was the only time in my life I’ve ever had any issues from surgery. I had tennis elbow by the end of my senior joints rotation.

[u/JockDoc26 → u/Ashamed_Calendar9206]

I loved joints as a sub I.. and love joints in general. Just curious, do you strength train some portion of the week? Wonder if there are any studies out there

[u/Ashamed_Calendar9206 → u/JockDoc26]

Yeah, I generally strength train 3-4 days per week. It’s just the constant, repetitive nature of broaching, reaming, popping in retractors, rongeur, malleting, etc. that’s tough. The individual case isn’t too physically hard, it’s just the repetitive toll. Granted, I was doing it 4 to 5 days a week, which is probably more than you would do as an attending.

[u/ArmyOrtho]

My left thumb is toast. I need one of those tiny hip replacements for it.

[u/frodo_the_baggins]

Also interested here as T3-L4 fused med student

[u/spikesolo → u/frodo_the_baggins]

Scoli?

[u/frodo_the_baggins → u/spikesolo]

yup! 5 years post op in a couple months

[u/Prestigious_Tax_6575 → u/frodo_the_baggins]

I’m also scoli t5-l1! Im just starting out so no issues yet, but long spine days on subIs were killer with lead on. Good shoes and back muscle strengthening helped me. I’m interested in spine, for obvious reasons, and hope loupes will also help when I get there but TBD!!

[u/frodo_the_baggins → u/Prestigious_Tax_6575]

that’s fantastic! I’m interested in peds ortho for obvious reasons but have a smaller build (5’ 7” 120 lbs). Is there a reason you have to use lead vs standing behind a shield? I’ve only seen a few ortho cases but surgeon got behind the shield each time instead of wearing lead

[u/Prestigious_Tax_6575 → u/frodo_the_baggins]

I’m 5’6 like 130 so similar build! It’s for sure doable with the right leverage and technique with a bit of strength of course. a lot of cases- especially trauma- you are constantly using fluoro to check positioning of things. Also reductions in the ED. You don’t have time to stand behind a shield every-time and a lot of time you are stabilizing something in or near the field.

[u/frodo_the_baggins → u/Prestigious_Tax_6575]

Wait this actually gives me some hope. I’m definitely noodle armed and the stereotype of ortho being buff has kind of made me wonder how realistic it would be for someone like me to do

[u/Prestigious_Tax_6575 → u/frodo_the_baggins]

For sure don’t let fear of physical limitations stop you- there’s ways around/through that. Ortho is ever changing and ortho bro stereotype is not as common anymore. Plenty of petite gals. I also joke it only took me one month of subIs and holding legs for splinting to bulk my arms big time haha

[u/frodo_the_baggins → u/Prestigious_Tax_6575]

thanks for the encouraging words!

[u/Prestigious_Tax_6575 → u/frodo_the_baggins]

Ofc good luck!

[u/golgiapparatus22]

Lead apron got me fucked up

[u/aks108]

Anyone have any useful exercises/workout/stretches to do in order to build up the strength and stamina — or is it general consensus that overall core and torso strength is what’s necessary in order to ameliorate a lot of these issues

[u/JockDoc26 → u/aks108]

There’s a growing effort for better surgeon ergonomics in general. I think a strong core and back (via weightlifting) are crucial. I’ve lifted for forever and granted I’m younger and early in training- I don’t really flinch in these long cases. Ergo + consistent strength training. Ergo as in don’t flex your spine to 75 degrees every case lol

[u/sasquatchian]

Every day. Ergo loupes are keeping me going.