An analysis of occupational factors related to shoulder discomfort in diagnostic medical sonographers and vascular technologists

Roll, Shawn C.; Evans, Kevin D.; Hutmire, Cristina; Baker, Joan P.

doi:10.3233/wor-2012-1434

Cited by 32 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…If it is a static posture, it can impair blood flow to the shoulder muscles. 18,20 This condition applies to the nonscanning arm as well as the scanning arm.…”

Section: Arm Abduction Is Defined As An Angle Greater Thanmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Importance of an Ergonomic Workstation to Practicing Sonographers

Baker

Coffin

2013

J of Ultrasound Medicine

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Musculoskeletal disorders have been described in a number of professions over the years. They are defined as injuries that are caused by or aggravated by workplace activities, and they account for up to 60% of all workplace illnesses. They are known by different names, such as musculoskeletal disorder, repetitive strain injury, cumulative trauma disorder, and repetitive motion injury. Musculoskeletal disorders have only been identified in sonographers since 1997 but are increasing in incidence. Surveys done among American and Canadian sonographers in 1997 showed an 84% incidence; however, this incidence had increased to 90% by 2008. Understanding the importance of optimal body mechanics and how to maintain neutral postures will enable sonographers to reduce the risk factors associated with their profession. Even with the most advanced equipment, an ergonomic workstation is only as effective as the person using it.

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“…If it is a static posture, it can impair blood flow to the shoulder muscles. 18,20 This condition applies to the nonscanning arm as well as the scanning arm.…”

Section: Arm Abduction Is Defined As An Angle Greater Thanmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among ultrasound professionals, the parts of the body most often named as experiencing the most pain and discomfort 2 , 3 , 4 , 18 are Shoulder (76%); Neck (74%); Wrist (59%); Back (58%); and Hands (55%).…”

Section: Causes and Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of an Ergonomic Workstation to Practicing Sonographers

Baker

Coffin

2013

J of Ultrasound Medicine

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“…For example, theatre nurses’ work is characterized by prolonged twisted and static postures, which are associated with assisting with surgery and instrumentation. This applies also to sonographers performing ultrasound examinations [ 11 , 12 ]. Assistant nurses in surgical wards perform heavy handling of patients, as well as of equipment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-sectional associations between occupational factors and musculoskeletal pain in women teachers, nurses and sonographers

Arvidsson

Simonsen

Dahlqvist

et al. 2016

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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BackgroundIt is usually assumed that musculoskeletal pain is associated with both the physical workload and the psychosocial work environment, as well as with personal and lifestyle factors. This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in women with varying or different occupational exposures, and to explore the associations between musculoskeletal pain and the occupational and personal factors.MethodsA questionnaire on physical, psychosocial and individual factors was answered by 1591 women in five occupational groups with contrasting occupational exposures (teachers, anaesthetic, theatre, and assistant nurses, and sonographers). The outcome measure was musculoskeletal pain (in a new model based on frequency and intensity of complaints the preceding year) from the neck, shoulders, hands, lower back and feet.ResultsNeck pain was equally frequent among teachers, assistant nurses and sonographers, and less frequent in anaesthetic and theatre nurses. The sonographers experienced the highest prevalence of shoulder pain, while the assistant nurses were the most affected in the wrists and hands, lower back, and feet.The teachers reported the highest scores in most of the psychosocial dimensions. The theatre nurses scored highest in strenuous work postures and movements (mechanical exposure index, MEI), and the assistant nurses in physical activity and lifting (physical exposure index, PHYI). Multivariable models in the total population showed that both the physical workload and the psychosocial work environment were associated with pain in all body regions, though different factors affected different regions. Pain in the neck, shoulders, hands and lower back was strongly associated with a high MEI and high job demands, while pain in the feet was associated with a high PHYI and a high BMI. A young age was associated with pain in the neck, and an older age was associated with pain in the hands and feet. Lack of time for personal recovery was associated with pain in the shoulders and lower back.ConclusionsThe occupational groups were affected differently and need different protective measures. For the teachers, the psychosocial work environment should be improved. The surgical staff and sonographers require measures to mitigate lifting and constrained postures.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12891-016-0883-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have been extensively studied in populations where the risk is estimated to be high for example, in industrial workers, laborers, as well as those engaged in repetitive work or sedentary desk jobs, like software professionals. In the health care scenario sonologists [1,2], dentists [3], surgeons performing minimal access surgery [4][5][6][7] and nurses [8,9] have been studied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Survey of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Otolaryngologists

Dabholkar

Yardi

Dabholkar

et al. 2017

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

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There are increased reports of prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) in surgeons performing minimal access surgeries. Due to the nature of the speciality, otolaryngologists spend their work days in performing markedly precise procedures in small workspaces i.e. the patients' ear, nose and throat. Due to this, they frequently adopt awkward neck, back and shoulder postures while using devices like otoscope, endoscope and microscope. The field of otolaryngology has barely received any attention with respect to ergonomic assessment. Thus, the aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of WRMSDs in otolaryngologists in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. A pre-validated, structured questionnaire was distributed to 150 otolaryngologists. Seventy-three otolaryngologists responded to the questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of demographic and workload data, report of musculoskeletal symptoms and otolaryngologists' interpretation of casual and preventive factors of symptoms at workplace. Response rate of the survey was 48.6%. The total prevalence of WRMSDs in the otolaryngologists was 87.67%. Majority of those surveyed reported that they suffered from musculoskeletal problems which they attributed to the ergonomic flaws encountered during surgery (60.27%) and OPD (69.86%) respectively. Pain and discomfort during surgery experienced by the surgeons were most frequently attributed to the awkward and sustained postures adopted during surgery. Effective time management, ergonomically apt postures, intermittent change of posture, using back rest and availing skilled assistance during OPD and surgery, were the self-assessed corrective measures suggested by the respondents. The otolaryngologists' job profile puts them at high risk for WRMSDs.

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An analysis of occupational factors related to shoulder discomfort in diagnostic medical sonographers and vascular technologists

Cited by 32 publications

References 24 publications

The Importance of an Ergonomic Workstation to Practicing Sonographers

The Importance of an Ergonomic Workstation to Practicing Sonographers

Cross-sectional associations between occupational factors and musculoskeletal pain in women teachers, nurses and sonographers

A Survey of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Otolaryngologists

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