Week 11 - Ergonomics Flashcards
- science of people at work
- concerned with the problem of how to fit the job to a persons anatomical, physiological, and psychological characteristics in such a way to enhance human efficiency and well-being.
ergonomics
name 6 primary risk factors for work injuries.
- posture
- repetition
- force
- contact stress
- vibration
- environmental
focused, sustained, or suddenly applied with compressive force
contact stress
condition that is a result of chronic repetitive use of the UE or LE which may involve high force, high repetition, vibration, awkward posture, or a combination of the above
cumulative trauma disorder (CTD)
incidences of cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) have ___ since 1984.
tripled
name 4 ways to prevent CTD.
- job/ergonomic analysis
- job rotation
- frequent work breaks
- functional capacity eval.
CTD among ___ ___ is 1/2 of all related injuries.
keyboard (computer) usage
researchers suggest that which positions are a predisposing factor for CTD?
extreme and repetitive wrist deviations (particularly those involving ulnar and/or radial deviation and extension)
what is the most common risk factor for CTD?
repeated and sustained exertions
cause tendon displacement and median nerve stressed and compressed (ex: CTS)
wrist flexion/extension
cause thumb tendons displaced (ex: DeQuervain’s)
wrist ulnar/radial deviation
upper traps tightness
shoulder elevation
traction of ulnar nerve
elbow flexion
stress on small finger joints
pinching
cervical symptoms can lead to distal problems
neck flexion
rhythmic alternation of contraction and extension, tension and relaxation (blood flow through a muscle)
dynamic effort
prolonged state of contraction of muscles, implies postural stance (ex: computer usage) (blood flow is obstructed)
static effort
name 2 types of muscular effort.
- dynamic effort
- static effort
repeated ___ ___ can lead to damage of joints, ligaments and tendons.
static efforts
inflammatory and degenerative processes in the overloaded tissues
musculoskeletal disorders
- overuse/overexertion of muscle/body system is experienced as a muscle cramp
- amount is related to the amount and duration of work
muscle fatigue
short lived, localized to muscles and tendons, pain disappears when static load is relieved.
reversible symptoms
localized to strained muscles and tendons, affects joints and adjacent tissues; pain does not stop when work is relived, leads to inflammatory and degenerative processes in overloaded tissues.
persistent symptoms
name 4 most common injuries associated with CTD.
- muscle fatigue
- tendon disorders
- nerve compressions
- myofascial pain
- entrapment occurs in specific anatomic areas where nerves pass under a restrictive pulley or retinacular restraint that produces compression
- inflammatory changes resulting in thickening of the tendon or nerve sheaths
- pain, numbness, tingling, electricity, burning and weakness
nerve compression syndromes
- overuse of muscles cause hyperirritability, the focal point of which is the trigger point
- trigger points - local inflammatory response, muscular hardness, local ischemia, and connective tissue irritation
- generalized diffuse pain and weakness
- consider when tendinitis treatment failed
myofascial pain
name 4 types of pain.
- complex regional pain syndrome
- myofascial pain syndrome
- fibrositis
- fibromyalgia
what is an intervention for a flexed/rotated neck regarding computer/office ergonomics?
document holder
what is an intervention for a flexed/extended wrist regarding computer/office ergonomics?
adjust keyboard
what is an intervention for an extended forearm reach regarding computer/office ergonomics?
desk/chair height
what is an intervention for contact stresses (edges of desk, chair, and keyboard) regarding computer/office ergonomics?
padded wrist/forearm rests
name an intervention for repetition - high pace and rapid motion regarding computer/office ergonomics.
breaks, decrease stress
name an intervention for static exertions - shoulders, neck, arms, or upper back regarding computer/office ergonomics.
breaks, change posture
name an intervention for force exertions - key strokes regarding computer/office ergonomics.
minimal amount of force
how many inches should a back rest of a chair be above the seat?
20 inches
an arm rest of a chair should be below how many inches of where the forearm would normally fall?
2 inches
noise above how many decibels interferes with complex mental activities, skilled performance and interpretation of info?
90 decibels
how long must a pt. stand for during a functional capacity evaluation (FCE)?
4 hours
prolonged what can lead to a lot of injuries and even surgery?
ulnar deviation
key striking can lead to what?
white fingertips
static postures ___ ___.
reduce bloodflow
implies acute
itis
implies chronic
osis
how do we minimize acute symptoms?
reduce symptoms, “band-aid”
how do we minimize chronic symptoms?
change what pt. is doing
- pain that person is experiencing doesn’t seem to make sense
- wiring is off
- usually from trauma injuries
- skin becomes shiny and tight
CRPS
- chronic pain and chronic fatigue
- treatment can be psychosocial therapy
fibromyalgia
how many inches do you want in between chair and popliteal fossa when sitting?
4 inches
- work breaks
- every 30 mins get up and do something
ergobreaks
