[Postural disorders as risk factors for the onset of degenerative diseases of the spine in meat-processing workers].

The authors present a postural finding in 150 workers of the meat industry. The frequency of lumbar painful syndromes is 28.66%, and 6.66% for chronic cervical pain. In 97 workers without painful syndromes of the spine there were 63.9% of cases with a proper posture between the ages of 30 and 39 years. Kyphotic backs (21.9%) appear at the age of 50 to 59 years. In 53 workers with a clinically manifest degenerative disease, 13.2% of cases had a proper posture. In this group the percentage of persons with kyphotic backs was 50.9% in the age group of 30 to 39 years. Scolosis was present in 13.2% of cases. The authors suggest an individual approach to kinesitherapy, on the basis of a previous postural analysis of each patient. They emphasize the need for the reduction of excessive weight and give an important role to the education of workers, according to the ergonomic requirements of the work place. The authors point to the problem and the necessity of preventing postural disorders as early as the school age.