Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Review of Occupational Knee Disorders

  • Published:
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction Lower extremity knee disorders, like other cumulative disorders of the body, build up over time through cumulative exposures. 2006 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal that cumulative knee disorders account for 65% of lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders and 5% of total body musculoskeletal disorders. Methods The objective of the literature review was to find papers on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) common to the knee region. From these, symptoms of the disorders, affected industries, and potential risk factors were assessed. Results A review of the literature divulges that knee disorders primarily consist of bursitis, meniscal lesions or tears, and osteoarthritis. Though kneeling and squatting are considered to be two of the primary risk factors correlated to these knee disorders, 12 other risk factors should also be contemplated. These 14 contributing risk factors include both occupational (extrinsic) and personal (intrinsic) variables that affect the labor industries. Example industries include mining, construction, manufacturing, and custodial services where knee bending postural activities exist as a commonality. Conclusion The understanding of the types of knee disorders, the affected occupations, and the job related risk factors will allow ergonomic practitioners and researchers to create and adjust work environments for the detection and lessening of knee work-related musculoskeletal risk. Further studies need to be conducted to (1) justify the presence of risk from certain risk factors and (2) enhance the understanding of risk factor dose–response levels and their temporal development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. National Safety Council. Injury facts 2008 edition. Itasca: National Safety Council; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workplace injuries and illnesses in 2006. Annual Report. Washington D.C.: United States Department of Labor; 2007. Report No.: 07-1562.

  3. Morken T, Mehlum IS, Moen BE. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Norway’s offshore petroleum industry. Occup Med. 2007;57(2):112–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. National Safety Council. Injury facts. 2007 edition ed. Itasca: National Safety Council; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Baker P, Reading I, Cooper C, Coggon D. Knee disorders in the general population and their relation to occupation. Occup Environ Med. 2003;60:794–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Kivimaki J, Riihimaki H, Hanninen K. Knee disorders in carpet and floor layers and painters: part II: knee symptoms and patellofemoral indices. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1994;26:97–101.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. National Research Council. Musculoskeletal disorders and the workplace: low back and upper extremities. Washington, D. C.: National Academy Press; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Myllymaki T, Tikkakoski T, Typpo T, Kivimaki J, Suramo I. Carpet-layer’s knee: an ultrasonographic study. Acta Radiol. 1993;34:496–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Moore SM, Steiner ME, Mayton AG, Fitzgerald GK, Hubert JP. Keeping knees healthy in restricted work spaces: applications in low-seam mining. CDC Information Circular 9504. Pittsburgh: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health); 2008. Report No.: 2008-130.

  10. Sharrard WJW. In: Pressure effects on the knee in kneeling miners Joseph henry lecture May 15, 1964; Sheffield, UK.; 1965. p. 309–24.

  11. Thun M, Tanaka S, Smith AB, Halperin WE, Lee ST, Luggen ME, et al. Morbidity from repetitive knee trauma in carpet and floor layers. British J Ind Med. 1987;44:611–20.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Watkins JT, Hunt TA, Fernandez RHP, Edmonds OP. A clinical study of beat knee. British J Ind Med. 1958;15:105–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Jensen LK, Mikkelsen S, Loft IP, Eenberg W. Work-related knee disorders in floor layers and carpenters. J Occup Environ Med. 2000;42(8):835–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kivimaki J, Riihimaki H, Hanninen K. Knee disorders in carpet and floor layers and painters. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992;18:310–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Bruchal LC. Occupational knee disorders: an overview. In: Brittner AC, Champney PC, editors. Advances in industrial ergonomics and safety. 7th ed. London: Taylor & Francis; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Torner M, Almstrom C, Karlsson R, Kadefors R. Working on a moving surface-a biomechanical analysis of musculoskeletal load due to ship motions in combination with work. Ergonomics. 1994;37(2):345–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Bhattacharya A, Mueller M, Putz-Anderson V. Traumatogenic factors affecting the knees of carpet installers. Appl Ergon. 1985;16(4):243–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Village J, Morrison JB, Leyland A. Biomechanical comparison of carpet-stretching devices. Ergonomics. 1993;36(8):899–909.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Sharrard WJW, Liddell FDK. Injuries to the semilunar cartilages of the knee in miners. British J Ind Med. 1962;19:195–202.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Atkins JB. Internal derangement of knee joint in miners. British J Ind Med. 1957;14:121–6.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Jensen LK, Eenberg W. Occupation as a risk factor for knee disorders. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1996;22:165–75.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kivimaki J. Occupationally related ultrasonic findings in carpet and floor layers’ knees. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992;18(6):400–2.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. McMillan G, Nichols L. Osteoarthritis and meniscus disorders of the knee as occupational diseases of miners. Occup Environ Med. 2005;62:567–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Baker P, Coggon D, Reading I, Barrett D, McLaren M, Cooper C. Sports injury, occupational physical activity, joint laxity, and meniscal damage. J Rheumatol. 2002;29(3):557–63.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Felson DT. Osteoarthritis of the knee. New Engl J Med. 2006;354:841–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. What is osteoarthritis? [homepage on the Internet]. http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/osteoarthritis-basics. Accessed 14 Jan 2010.

  27. Kellgren JH, Lawrence JS. Atlas of standard radiographs, vol 2: the epidemiology of chronic rheumatism. Oxford: Blackwells Scientific Publications; 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Jensen LK, Mikkelsen S, Loft IP, Eenberg W, Bergmann I, Logager V. Radiographic knee osteoarthritis in floorlayers and carpenters. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2000;26:257–62.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Sandmark H, Hogstedt C, Vingard E. Primary osteoarthritis of the knee in men and women as a result of lifelong physical load from work. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2000;26(1):20–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Vingard E, Alfredsson L, Goldie I, Hogstedt C. Occupation and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: a register-based cohort study. Int J Epidemiol. 1991;20(4):1025–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Partridge REH, Duthie JJR. Rheumatism in dockers and civil servants: a comparison of heavy manual and sedentary workers. Ann Rheum Dis. 1968;27:559–68.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Anderson JJ, Felson DT. Factors associated with osteoarthritis of the knee in the first national health and nutrition examination survey (hanes I). Am J Epidemiol. 1988;128(1):179–89.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Coggon D, Croft P, Kellingray S, Barrett D, McLaren M, Cooper C. Occupational physical activities and osteoarthritis of the knee. Arthritis Rheum. 2000;43(7):1443–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Cooper C, McAlindon T, Coggon D, Egger P, Dieppe P. Occupational activity and osteoarthritis of the knee. Ann Rheum Dis. 1994;53:90–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Felson DT, Hannan MT, Naimark A, Berkeley J, Gordon G, Wilson PWF, et al. Occupational physical demands, knee bending, and knee osteoarthritis: results from the framingham study. J Rheumatol. 1991;18(10):1587–92.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Lau EC, Cooper C, Lam D, Chan VNH, Tsang KK, Sham A. Factors associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee in Hong Kong Chinese: obesity, joint injury and occupational activities. Am J Epidemiol. 2000;152:855–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. BMI—body mass index: BMI for adults [homepage on the Internet]. 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/about_adult_BMI.htm. Accessed 27 July 2009.

  38. Manninen P, Heliovaara M, Riihimaki H, Suomalainen O. Physical workload and the risk of severe knee osteoarthritis. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2002;28(1):25–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. D’Souza JC, Werner RA, Keyserling WM, Gillespie B, Rabourn R, Ulin S, et al. Analysis of the third national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES III) using expert ratings of job categories. Am J Ind Med. 2008;51:37–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. US Department of Labor. Dictionary of occupational titles (DOT). 4th ed. Washington: US Government Printing Office; 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Reid CR, Bush PM, Karwowski W, Durrani SK. Occupational postural activity and lower extremity discomfort: a review. Int J Ind Ergon. 2010;40(3):247–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Sobti A, Cooper C, Inskip H, Searle S, Coggon D. Occupational physical activity and long-term risk of musculoskeletal symptoms: a national survey of post office pensioners. Am J Ind Med. 1997;32:76–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. D’Souza JC, Franzblau A, Werner RA. Review of epidemiologic studies on occupational factors and lower extremity musculoskeletal and vascular disorders and symptoms. J Occup Rehabil. 2005;15(2):129–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Euser AM, Zoccali C, Jager KJ, Dekker FW. Cohort studies: prospective versus retrospective. Nephron Clin Pract. 2009;113(3):c214–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Noordzij M, Dekker FW, Zoccali C, Jager KJ. Study designs in clinical research. Nephron Clin Pract. 2009;113:c218–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Jin S, McCulloch R, Mirka GA. Biomechanical evaluation of postures assumed when harvesting from bush crops. Int J Ind Ergon. 2009;39(2):347–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Air stretcher (AS-1000 rev. 1) [homepage on the Internet]. 2009. http://www.carpetairstretcher.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=13. Accessed 14 Apr 2010.

  48. Honda—walk assist and mobility devices [homepage on the Internet]. 2009. http://corporate.honda.com/innovation/walk-assist/. Accessed 13 Jan 2010.

  49. UC berkeley human engineering laboratory [homepage on the Internet]. http://bleex.me.berkeley.edu/bleex.htm. Accessed 13 Jan 2010.

  50. HULC [homepage on the Internet]. 2010. http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/hulc/index.html. Accessed 13 Jan 2010.

  51. What’s “HAL” (hybrid assistive limb®)? [homepage on the Internet]. 2009. http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/robotsuithal/index.html. Accessed 13 Jan 2010.

  52. Porter W, Mayton A, Moore S. Pressure distribution on the anatomic landmarks of the knee and the effect of kneepads. Appl Ergon. (Forthcoming) 2010.

  53. Reid CR, Bush PM, Karwowski W, McMullin DL. In: The need for a lower extremity risk assessment model. Proceedings of the human factors and ergonomics society 53rd annual meeting, San Antonio; 2009. p. 887–91.

  54. Chen JC, Dennerlein JT, Shih TS, Chen CJ, Cheng Y, Chang WP, et al. Knee pain and driving duration: a secondary analysis of taxi drivers’ health study. Am J Public Health. 2004;94(4):575–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Rossignol M, Leclerc A, Allaert FA, Rozenberg S, Valat JP, Avouac B, et al. Primary osteoarthritis of hip, knee, and hand in relation to occupational exposure. Occup Environ Med. 2005;62:772–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. Standard occupational classification. London: HMSO; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Campbell L, Pannett B, Egger P, Cooper C, Coggon D. Validity of a questionnaire for assessing occupational activities. Am J Ind Med. 1997;31(4):422–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Croft P, Cooper C, Wickham C, Coggon D. Osteoarthritis of the hip and occupational activity. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992;18(1):59–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Engineering & Management Systems, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL, 32816-2993, USA

    Christopher R. Reid, Pamela McCauley Bush & Samiullah K. Durrani

  2. Athletic Training Education Program, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL, 33801-5698, USA

    Nancy H. Cummings

  3. Ergonomics Applications, 2 Tradewinds Way, Salem, SC, 29675, USA

    Dianne L. McMullin

Authors
  1. Christopher R. Reid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pamela McCauley Bush
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nancy H. Cummings
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dianne L. McMullin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Samiullah K. Durrani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher R. Reid.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reid, C.R., Bush, P.M., Cummings, N.H. et al. A Review of Occupational Knee Disorders. J Occup Rehabil 20, 489–501 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-010-9242-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-010-9242-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation