Diagnostic Medical Sonography News September 2019 | Page 4

Ergonomics: Attempting to Prevent
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
(WRMSDs) in Sonography
“Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) are disorders that affect the muscles, nerves,
ligaments and tendons, and which are caused or aggravated by workplace activities. Unlike acute
incidents that may happen at work, such as a slip or fall, WRMSDs develop slowly over time
from the repetition of certain job-related risk factors. They can cost companies a lot of money in
Worker’s Compensation claims, as well as in indirect costs from lost revenue, absenteeism or new
hire training. Even worse, though, is the emotional and financial toll they can take on the workers
affected, especially if the musculoskeletal disorder has progressed to the point where personal
tasks and daily activities can no longer be performed.
Scanning techniques are the primary cause of WRMSDs for sonographers - with the neck,
shoulder, wrist, hand, fingers and back as the most commonly affected sites. The physical risks of
scanning include force, repetition, awkward or sustained postures and contact pressure. Force
refers to the downward pressure applied with the transducer to get the image and the grip force
used to hold the transducer. Repetition means performing the same types of exams repeatedly
using similar muscles. Awkward or sustained postures occur when body parts are positioned
away from their neutral position, which puts stress on the joints and muscles over a sustained
period of time. This often happens during scanning in order to get the best image, or from limited
equipment adjustability. Lastly, contact pressure is sustained contact, such as resting the hip or
arm against the exam table when scanning.
Everyone has a role in maintaining a culture of safety and reducing risks for WRMSDs:
manufacturers (in the ergonomic design of equipment), employers, educators and sonographers.
In a safety-oriented culture, there is open communication between staff and management about
safety and ergonomics. Management is able to provide resources allocated to equipment, time,
money and staffing.
What can we as sonographers do on a personal level to reduce our risk of WRMSDs? It is
important to be aware of which postures cause pain and, if possible, to make changes. Examples
include trying to avoid scanning positions that require extreme wrist flexion, trunk bending or
twisting, shoulder abduction greater than 30 degrees and using excess force to obtain an image.
Familiarization with the proper use of adjustable chairs and adjustable exam tables is also crucial.
It is recommended that sonographers take the time to adjust the patient close to the edge of
the exam table, as well as to properly adjust the height of the exam table and chair to reduce
abduction and reach of the upper extremities.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are difficult on everyone and may even seem unavoidable
to some extent. As sonographers, we can do our best to limit the risks through an awareness
of anything that causes pain, learning and applying techniques to reduce pain and bringing any
concerns or suggestions to management when possible. The causes of WRMSDs are multi-faceted,
and everyone has an important role to play in preventing unnecessary risks, both individually and
in the community at large. Proper ergonomic scanning techniques need to be taught early in a
sonography program to reduce WRMSD” (Murphey, 2018).
Reference:
Murphey, S. (2018). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in sonography. Plano, TX: Society of
Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Tabitha Quinn, Intern