Low Back Pain in Norwegian Helicopter Aircrew

Ø. B. Hansen, M.D., and A. S. Wagstaff, M.D., D.Av.Med.
Aviat Space Environ Med 2001; 72:161-4

Abstract

The size and consequences of low back pain (LBP) in Norwegian helicopter aircrew has been investigated in a retrospective and prospective survey. With 50.5% reporting such pain in a 2-yr period, and Sea King aircrew reporting LBP on on almost half (49.3%) of the missions flown, the magnitude of the problem equals that reported from other air forces. Pilots reported LBP six times more often than other crewmembers and almost half (48.6%) felt the pain influenced the quality of work. This could have flight safety implications. Crewmembers with total flying time over 2000 h have a significantly higher incidence of sick leave than those with less than 2000 h. Only 1 pilot out of 10 with total flying time under 500 h had had flight-related LBP.

Keywords: aircrew health, helicopter, low back pain.

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Table of Contents for Volume 72, Number 3 of the ASME journal.