Lesson 4 (Part 1) Flashcards
How many sonographers report experiencing pain while scanning?
75%
How many sonographers sustain career-ending injuries?
25%
What percentage of work place illnesses involve MSK injuries?
60%
What is the most common injury site for sonographers? (5)
- Shoulders
- 76% - Neck
- 74% - Wrist
- 59% - Back
- 58% - Hands
- 55%
RSI
Repetitive strain injuries
What causes MSK injuries?
RSI
What do repetitive strain injuries result from?
Minuscule and cumulative trauma to human tissue
What happens if your muscles get more and more fatigued?
You are more prone to getting injured
What are risk factors for sonography occupational injuries? (10)
- Improper scanning technique
- Poorly designed workstations
- leading to awkward and prolonged static postures - Repetitive motions
- “Pinch” grip of transducers
- High-performance pressure
- not enough time allotted to complete scan - Heavy workloads
- eg. staffing shortages, lack of breaks - Patient population is growing
- Increase in BMI
- more pressure needed - Insufficient rest and recovery
- Age
- 30-60 year olds - Gender
- female are more prone to injuries
What are examples of work related injuries for sonographers? (7)
- Tendonitis and tenosynovitis
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Bursitis
- Epicondylitis
- tennis/Golfer’s Elbow - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Lower Back Pain
- Plantar Fasciitis
Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendon
- most common form overuse
Where does tendonitis and tenosynovitis commonly occur? (6)
- Shoulder
- Neck
- Elbow
- Wrist
- Hand
- Feet
What are the primary causes of RSI? (3)
- Repetition
- Force
- Awkward posture
How does risk increase for RSI?
With the number of times and the greater length of time that a joint deviates from its natural position
What is shoulder pain associated with?
Abduction of the shoulder more than 30°
How can you reduce shoulder pain?
By reducing abduction of the shoulder
- can help reduce muscle activity of the shoulder by 88%
What are some mechanisms you can use to decrease the angle from 75 to 30? (4)
- Supporting the forearm using cushions of various angles
- Position patients close to the edge of the scanning bed
- to narrow the reaching area and reduce arm abduction - Have the ultrasound unit as close as possible
- The patient examination table and the ultrasound keyboard should be adjusted so that the sonographer’s elbow can be positioned at a 90-degree angle
Bursitis
Inflammation of the small sac of fluid (bursa) that cushions and lubricates an area between tendon and bone or around a joint
What causes bursitis? (8)
- Chronic overuse
- Repetitive motions
- Trauma
- Gradual degeneration
- Aging
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Infection
What are symptoms of bursitis? (5)
- Joint pain
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Warmth over the joint
- Stiffness near the affected bursa
What are some treatments for bursitis? (3)
- Temporary rest or immobilization of the affected joint
- Applying ice
- Taking NSAIDs
NSAIDs
Non steroidal anti inflammatory drug
What is an example of NSAIDs?
Advil
- and it is recommended for bursitis
What does upper back and neck pain result from? (2)
- Repetitive strain on muscles and ligaments
2. Poor, awkward, or static posture
