This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Jakes, C. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Sonographers and Occupational Overuse Syndrome

Cause, Effect, and Solutions

Diagnostic Ultrasound Program, Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, Washington

Due to remarkable advances in technology, sonographers today are working more efficiently, serving considerably more patients per day. One would assume this to be a benefit, when in fact a new problem has surfaced directly related to these achievements. Ultrasound exams require a peculiar type of muscular effort on the part of the sonographer. Tiny muscle tears that are the result of repetitive manipulations of the transducer, without adequate rest between exams, progress to more extensive muscular damage. The muscular damage can lead to career-ending injury. The purpose of this article is to examine the causes of overuse injuries brought on by repetitive muscle stresses associated with the performance of ultrasound exams and to discuss the changes necessary to combat this ergonomic crisis. Change is difficult, but with the combined efforts of equipment designers, employers, and sonographers, change is possible and an auspicious future can be envisioned.

Key Words: ultrasound • sonographer • overuse • musculoskeletal • injury • ergonomics

Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Vol. 17, No. 6, 312-320 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/875647930101700602


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?