Relating Musculoskeletal and Disability Conditions of Occupation-Induced Musculoskeletal Disorders to Non-occupational Congenital Disabilities

Previous research indicates congenital disabilities may have similar physical outcomes to circumstantial disabilities encountered by occupational workers. This study attempted a preliminary mapping of musculoskeletal conditions of rice farmers to cerebral palsy (CP) patients. The farmers and CP patients were examined for lower extremity (LE) malalignment, perceived pain, and origin of structural damage. In agreement with farmers, CP participants exhibited foot pronation and knee valgus and perceived more hip and knee pain. In partial agreement with farmers, CP participant’s pain origins included knee and ankle joints, and hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles, but not quadriceps muscle. The comparison showed that occupational and congenital disorder populations can be associated in terms of knee valgus prevalence, pain perception, and musculoskeletal impairments. Therefore, knee impairments and disorders should be emphasized for developing dual-use assistive technology to prevent further risk of LE injury for both farmers in work and CP populations in daily living tasks.