Relationship between upper extremity pain and ultrasound use between Perinatologist and Obstetricians and Gynecologists

INTRODUCTION: To compare the frequency and severity of upper extremity pain between perinatologists and obstetricians and gynecologists (OG) and to investigate the factors that may affect it.
METHODS: This study was conducted as a prospective study between June-July 2023. The online questionnaire prepared by the researchers was filled by volunteer perinatologists and OG physicians. The questionnaire inquires information such as age, gender, specialty experience, average weekly number of patients examined, duration of examination for each patient and other demographic data, frequency and severity of upper extremity pain, and need for examination and treatment. In addition, perinatologists with upper extremity pain and OG physicians were compared and factors that may have an effect on this situation were evaluated.
RESULTS: One hundred and twenty four perinatologists and 210 OG physicians participated in this study. Upper extremity pain was present in 91 (73.4%) perinatologists and 77 (36.6%) OG physicians. The median value of the number of weekly ultrasound examinations was 100 (50-140) for perinatologists, while it was 70 (45-90) for OG physicians (p <0.001). The examination time for each patient was 16 (15-20) minutes for perinatologists, while it was 10 (7.5-10) for OG physicians, which was significantly longer (p<0.001). The need for treatment was 24.2 and 5.2% for perinatologists and OG physicians, respectively, and was significantly higher for perinatologists (p: 0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that upper extremity pain is more common in perinatologists than OG physicians. We thought that this was due to the fact that perinatologists had a higher frequency of ultrasound and longer examination times.