Abstract
Previous studies have shown that medical sonographers are at an increased risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) which may be attributed to occupational risks including repetitive motion, extreme joint positions, and periods of applied static muscle force. The specific aim of this study was to identify and quantify possible risk factors for the development of WRMSDs in medical sonographers and determine possible pathways to injury. Seven full time sonographers participated in the study which included the use of customized questionnaires to determine the prevalence of WRMSDs and the existence of perceived work-related risk factors, ergonomic job evaluation using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and biomechanical evaluations with electrogoniometers to assess upper extremity posture during typical scanning procedures. 86% of sonographers reported musculoskeletal pain in at least one upper extremity joint. Shoulder abduction, wrist deviation, sustained transducer usage, bending or twisting of the neck, and the number of scanning procedures performed per day were all identified as possible risk factors for injury.
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