Chapter 4: Sonographer Safety Issues Flashcards
By the beginning of the 21st century, how many SGs reported scanning in pain?
More than 75%
How many SGs experience career-ending injury?
1 in 4
What causes a SG injury?
i. Poor conditions
ii. Lack of ergonomic importance
MSI stands for?
Musculoskeletal Injury
MSIs result from…
miniscule cumulative trauma causing the breakdown of tissue due to a combination of biologic and biomechanical factors.
The most common work-related injuries among SGs are…
tendonitis and tenosynovitis of the shoulder, neck, wrist, and back.
RSI stands for?
Repetitive strain injuries
RSIs are directly related to…
prolonged periods of arm abduction and muscle loading along with the constant transducer pressure during scanning.
RSIs are caused by
i. Use of poorly designed equipment and stretchers
ii. Improper body mechanics while scanning
iii. Procedure duration
iv. Inappropriate force
v. Insufficient rest breaks
vi. Repetition of the same type of study for long periods during the workday
Lower back pain is commonly caused by…
by sitting/standing for long periods.
To fix lower back pain
correct posture, relax musculoskeletal structures, take short breaks
Upper back and neck pain is commonly caused by…
repetitive strain on muscles and ligaments due to poor, awkward, or static posture.
To fix upper back and neck pain
adjust the monitor and position patient’s properly
Shoulder pain is commonly caused by…
the abduction of the arm >30% and by repetitive, excessive, or static force; causes bursitis
To fix shoulder pain
position patients close to the edge of the table to narrow the reaching area and lessen arm abduction; the SG’s elbow should be a 90 degree angle.
Pain in the upper extremities (wrist and hands) is commonly caused by…
the use of poorly designed transducers and excessive grip; causes tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and tunnel syndromes
Lack of tendon elasticity and constant pulling on the tendon attachments results in
low-level tearing and inflammation
Symptoms of upper extremities pain
range from aching or burning sensation to pain and stiffness
To fix upper extremeties pain
stretch, wear a cable brace
Digital Tendonitis and tenosynovitis is…
Tendon sheath inflammation that keeps the tendon from gliding smoothly within the sheath resulting in flexor digital tenosynovitis aka trigger finger
Symptoms of digital tendonitis and tenosynovitis (trigger finger)
Finger locks as it extends with a ‘snap’; aching or pain at the wrist and thumb which is aggravated by motion; often goes hand in hand with carpal tunnel syndrome
To fix digital tendonitis and tenosynovitis
Rest, warm soaks, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common…
nerve entrapment; this RSI is more common in females 30-60
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by…
compression of the median nerve
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
Numbness, burning, or tingling sensations in the hand, thumb, or fingers and possible shooting pain to the upper arms and down the fingers
The carpal tunnel is…
A narrow passageway on the palm side of the wrist bounded by bones and ligaments; protects the median nerve to the hand and nine tendons that bend the fingers.
To fix carpal tunnel syndrome
do muscle/nerve conduction tests, splints, NSAIDs, steroid injection, surgery, use ergonomically safe equipment, proper body mechanics and take breaks between exams
Carpal tunnel surgery is…
when the carpal ligament is excised releasing pressure on the median nerve