Prevalence, risks, underlying mechanisms, preventative guidelines, and interventions of sonographer work‐related injuries: A literature review

Abstract

Work‐related injuries (WRIs) in sonographers are concerning for sonographers and their employers. This review synthesised published guidelines, recommendations, and research relating to the prevalence, risks, underlying mechanisms, and preventative interventions of sonographer WRIs to improve understanding of the existing evidence and knowledge gaps in this area. Seventy articles published between 1985 and 2018 were identified and reviewed. Sonographer WRIs are very prevalent.Monitoring of prevalence should continue, preferably using a standardised, validated, and reproducible survey instrument. Risk factors for sonographer WRIs predominantly include not only ergonomic and postural factors, but also workflow, health status, mental stress, sonographer age, and patient characteristics. More case‐control and cohort studies are needed to provide more accurate data for determining risk factors. More studies evaluating preventative interventions using rigorous research methods which include consultation with work, health, and safety experts, and stakeholders such as sonographers, sonographer employers/managers, equipment manufacturers, and patients are required. There is a lack of studies investigating long term, economic, and productivity outcomes of preventative interventions. The building and expansion of a cohesive and useful body of knowledge of sonographer WRIs will inform future guideline development and revision, and motivate sonographers and their managers to implement and support valid preventative interventions.

A quantitative assessment of the effects of passive upper extremity exoskeletons on sonographer’s muscle activity and posture while performing transthoracic echocardiograms

“…This study found a prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain in a majority of sonographers and at a much higher rate than their peers (86% vs 46%). Similar to other studies (Friesen et al, 2006;Pike et al, 1997;Russo et al, 2002;Seto & Biclar, 2008;Tinetti & Thoirs, 2019), the findings from Barros-Gomes and colleagues (2019) report the neck, shoulder, lower back, and hand as the most common sites for sonographer discomfort. It is important to note that sonographers missed work, had work restrictions, and considered changing employment more often than their peers (Barros-Gomes et al, 2019).…”

“…Sonographers must apply pressure to the transducer to maintain contact with the patient throughout the procedure (Murphey, 2017). In a review of the literature it has been found that postural risk factors for sonographers include shoulder abduction and flexion, wrist deviation and flexion, and bending/twisting of the trunk and neck (Tinetti & Thoirs, 2019). These postures arise as sonographers attempt to operate the transducer and the computer simultaneously while navigating around the patient and the bed.…”

Radiographers’ musculoskeletal health in Western Switzerland: WRMSDs symptoms prevalence and risk factors

“…Previous studies dedicated to diagnostic radiographers showed a prevalence ranging from 67% [ 3 ] to 93% [ 2 ] of WRMSDs with back, neck and upper limbs, as the most affected anatomical regions [ 3, 7 ]. In other imaging specialties such as sonography, radiographers showed to be particularly exposed to several risk factors with a prevalence of WRMSDs over 90% [ 4 ]. The neck, shoulder, and wrist/hand are the most affected anatomical areas [ 8, 9 ], notably due to specific wrist and body movements during the ultrasound scanning [ 9 ].…”

“…Radiographers are amongst health professionals presenting a high prevalence of WRMSDs symptoms [2][3][4]. However, prevalence, and symptoms are slightly dependent on the type of studies and imaging modalities that are assessed [3][4][5][6].…”

Activity simulation in Radiology: Chest X-Ray in bed-ridden patients

“…Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are frequently observed in radiographers (Daniel et al, 2018), however, prevalence, and symptoms are slightly dependent on studies and imaging modalities included (Griffin, 2018;Lorusso et al, 2007;Pompeii et al, 2008;Siewert et al, 2013;Tinetti & Thoirs, 2019). Previous studies dedicated to diagnostic radiographers showed a prevalence of WRMSDs symptoms ranging from 67% (Lorusso et al, 2007) to 93% (Daniel et al, 2018) with back, neck and upper limbs as the most affected anatomical regions (Bright Ofori-Manteaw et al, 2015;Kumar et al, 2004b;Lorusso et al, 2007).…”