Morpho-functional assessment of the spine is a clinical examination used to evaluate the proper function of the spine (or even parts of it such as nerves, spinal cord, ligaments, muscles) of workers.
Unfortunately, so many people suffer from back pain, and the most common cause can be attributed to their work: for example, incorrect postures or repetition of certain movements can over time lead to the onset of trauma and even serious diseases.
Let us see together what the morpho-functional assessment of the spine consists of.
Morpho-functional assessment of the spine: what does it consist of?
The spine has the main function of supporting and giving mobility to the skull and trunk and consists of the spine, joints and connective structures, and muscles.
Morpho-functional assessment of the spine consists of a clinical examination of kyphosis, lordosis and scoliosis, and lumbopelvic rhythm: it is used to identify the onset of any pathology or disorder in the worker caused by the task performed, thus preventing the progression of the dysfunction found.
The examination makes it possible to monitor the health of employees exposed to certain working conditions over time, preventing, for example, further changes in the structure of the spine and spinal column, arthrosis, muscle and nerve disorders, and problems related to the spinal cord.
Who performs morpho-functional assessment of the spine?
The Competent Physician, who is responsible for health surveillance in the company, is in charge of morpho-functional assessment of the spine.
The examination is conducted with observation by the physician who performs palpation maneuvers on the affected areas to see if, under certain conditions or postures, the worker experiences pain that can seriously affect his or her work activity, making it painful and burdensome.
The Physician-in-Charge will check for the occurrence of apophyses, intervertebral spaces, or tendinitis by also taking into consideration the worker’s parameters such as age, the period from which employment for that specific task began, and other health findings.
In addition, characteristics regarding the task itself such as physical exertion, characteristics of loads, work environment as well as requirements related to the task are also taken into consideration.
In the event that the Medical Examiner expresses negative results regarding the examination, the employer is obliged to revise the employee’s job description partially or completely.
Workers most exposed
Requiring the morpho-functional assessment examination of the spine are all workers whose duties are performed in work environments that include, for example:
– lifting or manual handling of loads (such as carrying or moving a load);
– heavy physical exertion (pulling and pushing a load);
– support of loads;
– displacements with rotational or bending movements of the torso.
However, workers who perform work that requires:
– a prolonged sitting position;
– prolonged mechanical vibration (such as streetcar and bus drivers).
Morpho-functional assessment of the spine is very important to avoid serious damage to workers’ health. The jobs in which the above activities are performed can over time lead to low back pain, spine problems, spinal trauma, disc and ligament injuries, cervico-dorsal pain, osteoarticular, neurological, vascular or muscular disorders. Therefore, it is necessary for exposed individuals to undergo appropriate examinations and possible treatment in order to avoid diseases that may even create irreversible damage.
