Occupational Hazards of Orthopedic Surgery Exposures: Infection, Smoke, and Noise

The orthopedic environment exposes surgeons and staff to infection, surgical smoke, and high levels of noise. It is helpful to understand how exposure increases the risk for adverse health consequences. Protective equipment, safety protocols, and instrument modification can reduce exposure to hazards. When modifications to practice are made, they must be evaluated to ensure they do not introduce new hazards or impede the use of instruments. Despite evidence of risk, protective measures are seldom employed in orthopedic practice. Wider implementation of protection for clinicians may not occur unless the same hazards are shown to impact patient outcomes. •Orthopedic surgeons are at increased risk for adverse health effects from occupational exposure to infection, surgical smoke, and noise.•Prolonged use of filtering face respirators (FFRs) by HCWs may increase inhaled Carbon Dioxide levels beyond safe levels.•Surgical smoke contains particulate matter (PM) that, when inhaled, may cause pulmonary, cardiac, and neurologic conditions.•Over a 30-year career, mutagen exposure from surgical smoke by the orthopedic surgeon is potentially equivalent to 60 pack-years of passive cigarette smoke.•While filtering smoke evacuators can reduce exposure to PM, they are seldom used properly in orthopedic operating rooms.•The orthopedic surgeon is routinely exposed to noise levels at work, which can cause hearing loss.•There are no universal protocols to protect orthopedic staff from noise exposure.•Hearing protection is available that could protect orthopedic staff from hazardous noise levels.